Officers and Children Exposed to Meth Smoke during Warrant Service
Denver – This morning, a criminal investigation by officers from the Indiana State Police Peru Post Meth Suppression Team led to the arrests of Aaron Vance, 37, Wendy Walsh, 35, both from Denver, IN, and Arnold Bowen, 30, Peru, IN.
At approximately 12:10 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department served a Miami Superior Court I search warrant on Vance and Walsh’s residence at 167 West Harrison Street, Denver, IN. When officers made entry they discovered a smoke hazed dwelling. Allegedly Bowen was in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine in the home’s basement. He purportedly made a mistake causing the meth lab to catch fire. The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher prior to officers entering the residence. Officers do not believe it was an attempt to destroy evidence, because the people in the home were not aware of officers until they made entry into the residence.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers allegedly found methamphetamine, remnants of a methamphetamine lab, and drug paraphernalia. There were also two girls, ages 16 and 12, inside the home. They were treated for exposure to the meth smoke and released into the care of the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Two Indiana State Police officers and a Miami County Sheriff’s deputy were treated at Dukes Memorial Hospital for exposure to meth smoke. They were treated and released.
Vance, Walsh, and Bowen were incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. Vance and Walsh face criminal charges for manufacturing methamphetamine, dealing methamphetamine, two counts for neglect of a dependent, possession of an illegal drug lab, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bowen faces a criminal charge for manufacturing methamphetamine.
Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with any information about the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of methamphetamine. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756.
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