Trio faces charges in Van Wert drug bust

VW independent/submitted information

Three people have been arrested following a drug bust at a North Washington Street residence in Van Wert on Friday.

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced that the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force executed a drug search warrant of a room at 840 N. Washington St. following reports of drug activity in the hotel room.

Arrested and charged were the following:

• Gregory A. Lindeman, 44, 10886 Lincoln Highway, Apt. 5 — One count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree.
• Brittney M. Lindeman, 28, 10886 Lincoln Highway, Apt. 5 — One count of possession of heroin (F-5).
• Ruth A. Napier, 22, 409 S. Race St. — One count of possession of heroin (F-5).

Sheriff Riggenbach said a young child was also found in the hotel room when the search warrant was executed. The Sheriff’s Office contacted Van Wert County Children Services and the child was turned over to employees of that agency.

Also found inside the hotel room were the following items, which were seized for evidentiary purposes: Hypodermic needles, a moderate amount of what is suspected to be heroin, gel-caps containing what is purported to be heroin residue, and an unspecified amount of cash.

The hypodermic needles and suspected heroin were all located where the young child could reach them.

The three people arrested were taken to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, where they are being held until an initial hearing set for Monday in Van Wert Municipal Court.

Sheriff Riggenbach advised that a nuisance abatement letter would be sent to the owners of the hotel to make them aware of what occurred on the property. The purpose of a nuisance abatement letter is to make property owners aware of alleged illegal activity occurring on their property.

The sheriff added that the nuisance abatement letter directs property owners to take action in the hopes of abating any future illegal activity. The law does allow for the seizure of property if property owners knowingly permit illegal activity to be conducted on their premises.

Sheriff Riggenbach asks anyone that has information on drug activity to contact the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office. Area residents with information can call the sheriff’s office at 419.238.3866 or use the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and click on the “Submit a Crime Tip” link.

People can also provide information on other crimes by using the above options or by contacting Van Wert County Crime Stoppers at 419.238.STOP.  People can also remain anonymous when contacting Crime Stoppers or the sheriff’s office.

The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, which operates within a multi-county area to combat drugs and solve major crimes, is comprised of officers from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lima Police Department, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and multiple state and federal agencies.