By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – Two Wabash men are facing narcotic-related charges resulting from an ongoing investigation by the Wabash Police Department on Wednesday. Police received information that a car known to be driven by Travis R. Stafford, 30, Wabash, was spotted at the Knight’s Inn located at 1950 S. Wabash Street. Stafford was wanted in connection to two outstanding warrants, including Operating a Vehicle Without a License and Possession of a Narcotic Drug. At least two police cars were dispatched to the south side motel.
While one cruiser was en route southbound on Falls Avenue, one of the officers saw the vehicle matching the description of Stafford’s car heading northbound near Falls Cemetery. According to an affidavit of probable cause by Corporal Chad Galligan, the police car turned around and turned on their lights.
The first vehicle, which was indeed being driven by Stafford, apparently did not stop and continued for several blocks before turning into a private drive. After Stafford got out of the vehicle, he advised police that he had a syringe in his front pocket. According to the affidavit, a search incident to arrest found the syringe and small digital scale. Police allege that Stafford admitted using heroin earlier that morning.
Additional charges resulting from Wednesday’s incident include Resisting Law Enforcement and Illegal Possession of a Syringe, both Level 6 Felonies.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the other police car arrived at the Knight’s Inn and failed to locate Stafford’s vehicle. But with the permission of the motel’s owner, the police checked the registry and found the name of Tyler R. Miller, 24 ,Wabash, as having one of the rooms. According to an affidavit of probable cause, police checked and discovered several warrants outstanding for Miller.
Through the front window of his room, police allege that they saw Miller placing something high a top shoe boxes and cleaning up the sink area of the bathroom. When they knocked, one affidavit states that Miller saw the police and ran towards the back of the room. Fearing a possible destruction of evidence, police entered the room from a key given to them by the manager and arrested Miller after finding a brown substance which tested positive for heroin, a marijuana pipe, burnt spoons and syringes. Police allege that Miller confessed to shooting up moments before the officers arrived. He is now facing Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Heroin and Possession of Paraphernalia charges.