UPD finds drugs, fake money

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The Urbana Police Division served multiple drug search warrants at local residences over the past few days, according to a press release issued on Monday.

Chief Matt Lingrell states several officers served a search warrant at 225 Logan St., Lot 40, Thursday as the result of an ongoing investigation led by Officer Steve Molton. As a result of this search, police recovered evidence regarding counterfeit money as well as marijuana for sale, prescription pills, scales and other drug paraphernalia, cash and a firearm.

Police learned that the resident, a convicted felon, had recently obtained the firearm for protection after he was allegedly robbed of a large amount of drugs a few months ago, which he did not report to police due to that robbery being connected to his illegal drug trafficking. Police interviewed two adults inside the home at the time of the raid and will present this case to an upcoming grand jury regarding the trafficking in drugs cases and firearms violations.

The investigation into the counterfeit money case is continuing.

On Saturday, several officers served a drug related search warrant at 667 E. Court St., led by Sgt. David Reese.

This case was the result of a foot chase involving day shift officers chasing Jason Karg, 35, of 667 E. Court St., who had multiple outstanding active arrest warrants on him. The chase began after Sgt. Josh Jacobs observed Karg in the 600 block of Scioto Street and called for on-duty units to assist in getting him into custody.

As officers converged on the area, Karg began running from them and ran back to his residence. While searching for Karg at the home, officers observed evidence of drug abuse.

They also found Amanda Neer, 28, at the home, who also had active outstanding warrants for a pending arrest. Once Karg and Neer were in custody, officers secured the home and sought a search warrant for a more thorough search.

As a result of this search, police recovered evidence of cocaine, heroin, prescription medications Suboxone, Oxycodone, Trazodone, as well as marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.

Both Karg and Neer were transported to the Tri-County Regional Jail, Mechanicsburg, on their arrest warrants, as well as on multiple new charges stemming from this incident.

Both Karg and Neer appeared in the Champaign County Municipal Court Monday for arraignment hearings. According to the court’s website, Karg’s bond was established at $30,000 and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2. A court-appointed attorney was given for Neer and her bond was established at $10,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

On Sunday, day shift officers were investigating a disturbance over a reported theft of drugs case at 225 Logan St., Lot 52, when they brought two men, ages 23 and 24, to the police division to be interviewed. While being interviewed separately, the two men began experiencing very severe medical issues.

Interviewing Officers Todd Pratt and Todd Burkett stopped the interviews and immediately transported both of the men to Mercy Memorial Hospital to be checked. While there, both men’s conditions worsened and they were transported to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, and were being treated in the Intensive Care Unit late Sunday night.

From information gathered by police from the interviews of the two men, police then sought a search warrant for 127 1/2 N. Main St. Several officers served the warrant late Sunday evening. During the search, police interviewed a 56-year-old resident found inside the home at the time of the raid and recovered evidence of methamphetamine and prescription pills inside the apartment.

Lingrell stated this investigation remains open and police will be presenting it to an upcoming grand jury for possible criminal indictments.

He added while at times it seems very difficult to keep up with the volume of drug crimes and drug addiction issues, Urbana Police will continue to do all they can as they try to address the many criminal and non-criminal issues that illegal drugs are causing the community.

“We know many families are hurting due to the impact of drug addiction issues, but we encourage our citizens to reach out to us whenever the suspect these illegal activities are taking place throughout the community,” Lingrell stated. “It may save a life or lives.”

The Urbana Police Division can be reached at 937-652-4350 or at their crime/drug tip line at 937-652-4357.

Urbana police recovered evidence regarding counterfeit money as well as marijuana for sale, prescription pills, scales and other drug paraphernalia, cash and a firearm at an Logan Street address.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/01/web1_Logan-ST.-drugs.jpgUrbana police recovered evidence regarding counterfeit money as well as marijuana for sale, prescription pills, scales and other drug paraphernalia, cash and a firearm at an Logan Street address. Photo courtesy of Urbana Police Division
Series of busts also nets firearm

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