NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Five people were arrested by the North Manchester Police Department over May Day weekend. On Thursday, May 4th, at 4:03pm Officer Devin Bechtold performed a routine traffic stop on Strauss Provimi just north of 4th Street. Jeffrey D. Lester, 41, North Manchester, the driver of the vehicles, was acting suspicious. Sgt. Birch and K9 Officer Strider were called in to do a free air sniff search. Strider alerted Sgt. Birch of the possibility of drugs in the vehicle. Lester was arrested for possession of Heroin, unlawful possession of a hypodermic needle and on a writ of attachment. Lester was also cited for disregarding a stop sign and driving while suspended. Other units assisting on the traffic stop were Chief Jim Kirk and Officer Parker Stouffer. At 4:50pm, Sgt. Nate Birch and Officer Parker Stouffer served a warrant on Brian S. Ratcliff, 43, Laketon for; Count 1: Theft and Count 2: Revocation of Probation. During the pat down Officer Devin Bechtold discovered a controlled substance on Ratcliff, this added an additional charge. On Friday, May 5th, at 11:15am, while patrolling, Officer Brian Hammons stopped a vehicle for speed on SR 114 W near Sulers Lane. Teresa Martinez, 41, Rochester was arrested for operating a vehicle while never receiving a license. Saturday, May 6th at 10:29 pm Officer Isaac Adams and Reserve Officer Tyler Duncan were patrolling in the area of 7th and Wayne Streets when Duncan spotted a subject lying in the middle of the road with another person trying to get them up. Farren M. Miller, 20, Lebanon was arrested for public intoxication and minor consuming. A male subject was released from the scene. Sunday, May 7th the North Manchester Police Dispatch received a complaint of an unknown male in a residence in the 200 block of Damron Drive. Upon arrival Sgt. Nate Birch found a male subject lying on the floor. Subsequently, Matthew B. Hayes, 22, Rochester was arrested for residential entry and possession of marijuana.
A criminal charge is merely and accusation. Every defendant is innocent until proven guilty.