MUNCIE, IN — Muncie police said their recent surveillance of two south-side homes led to 19 arrests.
According to Deputy Chief Melissa Criswell, members of her department’s patrol and detective divisions and the Muncie-Delaware County Drug Task Force on Monday, Oct. 20, “completed an enforcement action” in the 1300 and 1400 blocks of South Meeker Avenue.
The surveillance of two homes in the area stemmed from “complaints of nuisance activities,” Criswell said.
The deputy chief said in a news release that detectives “completed surveillance on the (properties) and observed multiple individuals coming and going at these locations that had active warrants.”
Charges pending against those arrested, or preliminarily lodged against those detained, including dealing in heroin and meth; possession of heroin, meth and other drugs; identity deception; resisting law enforcement; driving while suspended; driving without ever receiving a license; maintaining a common nuisance and visiting a common nuisance.
Two people were arrested on warrants accusing them of parole violations. Several warrants, both felony and misdemeanor, were also served.
The Muncie Police Department’s SWAT team also participated in the arrests.
The news release did not include the names of those arrested, but one was Randall Eugene Bell Jr., 48, listed in an affidavit as residing at 1400 S. Meeker Ave.
He was being held Thursday in the Delaware County jail, under a $100,000 bond, on suspicion of dealing in meth and dealing in a narcotic drug.
The court document alleged Bell sold 4.1 grams of meth to an informant for the drug task force, and that 22.7 grams of meth and 1.6 grams of fentanyl were recovered from the Meeker Avenue home.
According to state Department of Correction records, Bell has been convicted of crimes including aggravated battery, dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Also arrested was Cody Tyler Stamper, 40, listed as living at the same address. He was held on suspicion of maintaining a common nuisance. Stamper was later released from the jail, apparently after posting a $5,000 bond.
“This operation involved multiple days of planning and over 12 hours on the day of the implementation,” Criswell said. “There will be ongoing follow up (by the MPD) concerning these cases.”
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: 19 arrested after Muncie police conduct surveillance on Meeker Avenue homes
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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