August 25, 2006 (GENESEO, Ill.) - When farmer Jim Stahl approached the Henry County Sheriff's Department to report mysterious damage to his soybeans, officers decided to have a little fun.

The department issued a news release describing the strange crop circles. The release then says, in part, "So, if anyone happens to see a U-F-O or any other suspicious vehicle with soybeans attached, please call the sheriff's office."

But for some researchers, the crop circles in Stahl's beans are no laughing matter.

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BLT Research, a nonprofit group based in Massachusetts, sent a member out to gather samples from his field.

BLT has been investigating crop circles for 15 years.

President Nancy Talbott says the group believes low-energy plasma from outer space causes the crop formations.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)