Jacob Walerko

A Mentone teen was charged with possession of methamphetamine but four other juveniles were released to their parents with no charges pending.

At about 9:28 p.m. Thursday, Warsaw Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that had a headlight out. The 1999 black Toyota Corolla was stopped on West Lake Street in Warsaw.

During the traffic stop, police identified the occupants of the car and requested a police K9 after noting several of the occupants were known to be involved with drug use.

The K9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs and a search of the car found a baggy containing a white powdery substance inside a pill crusher. A field test identified the substance as methamphetamine. A small amount of marijuana shake was also found.

The driver, Jacob R. Walerko, 19, of Mentone, admitted the pill crusher and the contents were his. He was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Class D felony.

The four juveniles, one male and three females, were all released to parents or guardians.

During the investigation, a Warsaw Police officer was accidentally exposed to the methamphetamine and was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital as a precaution after complaining of a tight chest. He was treated at KCH and released.