On Monday, August 19 officers from the Mansfield Police Department’s second watch recovered a stolen vehicle at 437 Howard St., Mansfield. The vehicle was reported stolen from Columbus. While officers were at the residence speaking with the occupants, they observed a small bag of suspected cocaine sitting beside a small chrome handgun on the coffee table in the living room.
At this time, the officers requested assistance from the METRICH Enforcement Unit in drafting a search warrant. Detectives drafted a search warrant which was signed by the Honorable Judge Ardis. The search warrant was then served at approximately 5:39 p.m.
During the search, detectives located and seized eighty-six and a half (86.5) grams of powder cocaine, five (5) assorted handguns, one (1) shotgun and $11,390.00 in U.S. currency. Detectives also located numerous power tools that appear to have been exchanged for drugs.
Two individuals living at 437 Howard St. have been charged with Trafficking in Drugs and Possession of Drugs with additional charges being presented to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Arrested were Kenneth D. McDaniel Jr., 25, and Teka M. Skelton, 25.
METRICH Enforcement Unit Operations Supervisor Sgt. J.D. Petrycki credited the seizure to both the Patrol Bureau and the M.E.U. saying “without alert patrol officers this may have ended with only the recovery of a stolen vehicle.”
Citizens are encouraged to be proactive by reporting suspected drug activity. Citizens can call the METRICH crime tip hotline at 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or 419-755-9728.
