Jacob Paul Miller

Justin Zachary Babendrager

Acting on separate tips, Warsaw Police narcotics officers located two active meth labs Monday night and also arrested a local man for selling marijuana.

According to Warsaw Police, at approximately 5 p.m., officers were given a tip that there was an active meth lab at 3762 W. Old Rd. 30 on the west side of Warsaw. Warsaw Police and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the location, but did not find anyone home.

As officer’s were leaving, an officer spotted Jacob P. Miller, 40, of 427 S. High St., Warsaw, walking in the area with a fishing pole and bucket. Miller had been named in the tip and officers stopped him. In the bucket, officers found methamphetamine in the manufacturing process.

Miller was arrested without incident and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on a class B felony charge of manufacturing methamphetamine. No bond was set.

In another tip, at around 8:30 p.m., narcotics officers were advised of an active meth lab located at 213 E. Center St., Apt. A. Again, officers responded but did not locate anyone home, although they did notice a strong odor associated with the manufacture of Methamphetamine.

Officers gained entry into the apartment and located what they described as “a very volatile, active” one pot meth lab. The apartment, adjoining apartments, and a downstairs restaurant, Mi Lindo Acapulco, were evacuated and the fire department was called fearing a pending explosion.

The Indiana State Police clandestine lab team was called and cleaned up the scene. Due to the fumes, the Kosciusko County Health Department temporarily shut down the restaurant. Warsaw Police are currently looking for the renter of that apartment. The renter’s name is not being released.

Finally, at around 9:30 p.m. last night, Warsaw Police narcotics officers made an undercover purchase of marijuana and arrested Justin Z. Babendrager, 19, of Warsaw. Undercover officers purchased approximately one pound of marijuana from Babendrager at a family housing complex at 498 Clinic Court.

One juvenile fled the scene and Warsaw Police are currently looking for that individual. Another juvenile at the location was released. Babendrager was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on a class C felony charge of dealing in marijuana within a family housing complex. His bond was set at $5,000.

Warsaw Police were assisted by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Kosciusko County Probation Department, Kosciusko County Health Department, Indiana State Police, Warsaw Fire Department and the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.