2-day law enforcement blitz nets 19 arrests

Van Wert independent/OSHP information

A two-day law enforcement blitz conducted this past weekend resulted in more than 300 traffic stops and a total of 19 drug arrests.

The Van Wert and Delphos police departments coordinated their efforts with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in a concentrated two-day enforcement blitz to serve arrest warrants and remove illegal narcotics and impaired drivers from the roadways.

The Highway Patrol’s mission is focused on “Contributing to a Safer Ohio,” and in conjunction with that mission, has joined with area police departments in removing drugs and impaired drivers from area roadways.

The joint effort helped to multiply the number of officers available to work and focus on illegal activities as well as aggressive and impaired driving.

The additional officers included investigators, detectives, drug sniffing K-9s, and criminal patrol officers from the Highway Patrol’s Findlay District and Van Wert Post working alongside and riding with police officers from the Van Wert and Delphos.

Operation Shield officers made a total of 301 traffic stops, issued 123 traffic citations, made 11 impaired driving arrests, issued 10 aggressive driving citations, made seven arrests for driving under suspension, 17 seat belt citations, and issued 139 warnings.

Officers made five felony drug arrests, 14 misdemeanor drug arrests, and several additional criminal arrests.  Investigators also served five felony warrants, netting additional arrests for possession and trafficking in drugs.

Those arrested on felony drug charges include Jason Vanover, possession of heroin; Emily Lacy, trafficking in drugs; Shane Seekings, trafficking in drugs; Taylor Agler, trafficking in drugs; and Jared Caldwell, possession of heroin and trafficking in marijuana.

The agencies involved included officers from the OSHP’s Findlay District Headquarters, the OSHP Criminal Patrol Team, OSHP and Van Wert Police Department K-9 officers, Van Wert Patrol Post officers, Van Wert police officers, and Delphos police officers.