Collaborative Effort Between Police Agencies Nets 3 Meth Labs and Several Arrests

Cooperation and a collaborative effort between three police agencies resulted in the discovery of three methamphetamine labs and numerous arrests.  The investigation began last night (Sunday, May 2) at approximately 10:30 p.m. when Batesville Police contacted the Indiana State Police requesting members of the Meth Suppression Unit respond to Batesville reference a mobile meth lab.  ISP Meth Suppression Units also called in the Decatur County Sheriff's Department Investigations Division, whose investigators have recently become certified in meth investigations.  During the Batesville investigation one arrest was made by Batesville Police. As a result of this investigation state police and Decatur County Sheriff's deputies gained information that led to an operating meth lab in Greensburg.

Troopers and deputies responded to 916 E. Washington St. in Greensburg where another meth lab was taken down and charges are pending against at least one individual from that investigation.  During the Greensburg investigation officers gained further information about another operating meth lab at 6278E County Road 600S in Decatur County.  Officers responded to that location and later obtained a search warrant where another meth lab was located and resulted in the arrest of 38 year old Johnnie Grider of Greensburg.  Grider was charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine (Over 3 grams), a Class A Felony and he also had an active warrant out of Decatur County for Failure to Appear at a Sentencing Hearing from a previous meth related conviction.  Also arrested were 21 year old Dustin C. McKenzie and 25 year old Daniel Keihn.  Both men are from Greensburg and each are facing a charge of Manufacturing Methamphetamine (Over 3 grams), a Class A Felony.

Tpr. Jeremy Franklin of the Indiana State Police said, "Without the cooperation of all agencies involved and the sharing of information, the Greensburg lab and the lab on 600S would probably still be in operation."  Decatur County Sheriff Daryl Templeton added, "This is a great example of agencies working together to better serve the public."

Source: Sergeant Noel Houze, ISP