POLICE NEWS : Butler deputies arrest three in drug raid

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Three people were arrested Friday during a drug raid in Butler County that began the day before with a man running from law enforcement.

Richard L. Flener, 53, Vonnie M. Flener, 45, and Marcus L. Flener, 20, all of 454 Belmont Church Road, Morgantown, were charged with trafficking in marijuana, illegal sales of alcoholic beverages in a dry territory, illegal possession of alcoholic beverages for purpose of distribution in a dry territory, prescription controlled substance not in original container and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a Butler County Sheriff’s Department report.

A fourth person will be charged at a later date, according to the report.

The incident began when a deputy pursued a motorist possibly driving under the influence on Saw Mill Road in Morgantown, according to the report. The person fled on foot, which led the deputy to seek a search warrant for the Belmont Church Road residence.

All three were released from the Butler County Jail after posting $1,000 unsecured bonds.

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Accident — Edward Lewis, 62, and Mattie Lewis, 62, both of Powhatan, Ohio, were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital after an accident Tuesday on Interstate 65 at the 61-mile marker in Hart County.

Edward Lewis was driving north when he attempted to avoid a vehicle driven by Billie Wintin, 74, of Seymour, Ind., which was traveling south and had crossed the median and entered northbound traffic, according to a Kentucky State Police report.

Edward Lewis’ vehicle went off the right shoulder, overturned twice and traveled 72 feet before stopping, the report said.

Billie Wintin and her passenger, Walter Wintin Jr., 78, of Seymour, Ind., were both taken to T.J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow. Their conditions were not available.

Edward and Mattie Lewis are both listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit.

Arrest — Laura Jean McCoy, 37, 2783 Lodge Hall Road, was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and driving under the influence at 2:10 p.m. Monday at Pizza Hut at 1200 Smallhouse Road.

Employees called police after the woman pulled into the lot acting “out of it,” according to a Bowling Green Police Department arrest citation. She was driving with her 8-year-old son in the vehicle.

McCoy is in the Warren County Regional Jail with a $5,000 bond.

Arrest — Christopher Robin Stiver, 19, 119 Cherokee Drive, Morgantown, and Christina Louise Kirby, 36, 5990-B Caneyville Road, Morgantown, were charged with theft by unlawful taking over $300 at 11:21 a.m. Tuesday at Wal-Mart at 150 Walton Ave., according to a city police report.

The two were in the self-checkout lane but were not scanning items, according to the report. The items were valued at $496. The group was stopped as they attempted to leave by store security.

Stiver is being held on $1,000 bond and Kirby is being held on $5,000 bond.

Arrest — Curtis Gerrod Bell, 37, 148 Hillridge Road, was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first-degree promoting contraband, possession of drug paraphernalia and alcohol intoxication in a public place at 8:53 p.m. Monday at the T Mart at 1205 Adams St.

Police were called about a man soliciting money at the store, according to a city police report. Bell admitted to drinking a pint of liquor and a beer. Authorities found a crack pipe with suspected residue in his possession at the jail.

Bell is being held on $5,000 bond.

Arrest — Doris June Hillard, 60, 2745 Nashville Road No. 37, was charged with theft by unlawful taking over $300 and first-degree possession of a controlled substance at 6:59 p.m. Monday at Wal-Mart at 1201 Morgantown Road.

Hillard attempted to leave the store with a television that had not been paid for, according to a city police report. When arrested, Hillard admitted to having a syringe containing a controlled substance.

She is being held on $5,000 bond.

Arrest — Lawrence Gene Essig, 28, 1313 E. 13th Ave., was charged with first-degree criminal mischief, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident at 9:28 p.m. Monday in the 1300 block of Smallhouse Road, according to a city police report.

While officers were investigating the accident, Essig returned and admitted he had been drinking and had driven his vehicle into a utility pole, according to the report.

He is being held on $2,500 bond.

Burglary — A television and DVD/video cassette recorder combination valued at $600 was stolen between 7 p.m. Saturday and 1:38 p.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Wilkinson Trace, according to a city police report.

Burglary — Two doors were kicked in at a residence, causing $500 in damage, between 6:30 a.m. and 10:44 a.m. Sunday in the 900 block of Bryant Way, according to a city police report. The residence had been ransacked, but nothing was missing.

Burglary — Six DVDs, a computer, a file organizer and a photo CD with a combined valued of $958 were stolen between 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 11:10 a.m. Friday from a residence in the 1000 block of Winners Circle, according to a city police report.

Burglary — A television and DVD player, valued at $695, were stolen between Dec. 22 and Sunday from a residence in the 1500 block of Chestnut Street, according to a city police report. There was also $15 in damage to a deadbolt.

Criminal mischief — Profanity was painted several times on the side of a truck, causing $4,000 in damage, between 8 p.m. Dec. 26 and 9 a.m. Thursday in the 2100 block of Robin Road, according to a city police report.

Criminal mischief — The rear of a house was spray painted, causing $3,000 in damage, between Dec. 21 and Monday in the 700 block of Jennings Court, according to a city police report.