WHITLEY COUNTY — A 22-year-old woman from Ligonier and a 24-year-old man from Huntington were arrested by Indiana State Police Troopers following a traffic stop on US 30 in western Whitley County yesterday afternoon, Oct. 7, on meth-related charges.

According to Master Trooper Aaron Cook, yesterday afternoon at approximately 12:15 p.m., he stopped a Dodge pickup truck which was traveling eastbound on US 30 in the area of County Road 400 W for a traffic violation.

During the course of his interaction with the driver, Laura C. Koze, 22 from Ligonier and her male passenger, 24-year-old Tyler L. Neal from Huntington, Cook asked Koze out of the vehicle and while he was speaking with her, Master Trooper Todd Reed asked the Neal out and began to speak with him.  After a few moments, Neal took off running eastbound on the shoulder of US 30.

After a short foot chase, Neal was caught, subdued and taken into custody.  A subsequent search of the truck revealed approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia.

Both Koze and Neal were taken to and incarcerated in the Whitley County Jail on the following preliminary charges:

Laura C. Koze

• Possession of methamphetamine (with a prior conviction), level 3 felony
• Dealing methamphetamine (with a prior conviction), level 3 felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (with a prior conviction), class A misdemeanor

Tyler L. Neal

• Possession of legend drug, level 6 felony
• Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony
• Resisting law enforcement, class A misdemeanor
• False informing, class C misdemeanor
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

Neal is also being held on arrest warrants out of Huntington County for arson and four counts of theft and Wabash County for failure to appear for driving while suspended and for leaving the scene of criminal recklessness.  Koze is being held on a $300,000 cash bond.