Published: October 21, 2008 02:21 pm      

Police make arrests for drug possession, DUI and shoplifting

The Morehead Police had another busy week with the arrests of five people on charges including possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and promoting contraband at the jail.

Rowan County Detention Center inmate Thomas Persons, 27, was allegedly caught promoting contraband Thursday when he was found to be possession of tobacco, matches and toilet paper, said Captain Steve Howard.

Patrolman Patrick Smith made the arrest on Persons who had been in jail since April, after being identified by a Morehead resident as the person who allegedly stole a purse and attempted to steal several items from a back porch at a residence in Morehead.

Persons was being held on a $550 full-cash bond and a $5,000 full cash bond. He now faces charges of first and second-degree promoting contraband. He is being held without bond.

Saturday evening proved to be another busy workday for the MPD, when Patrolman Brad Gillock made a traffic stop after receiving complaints of a reckless driver along KY 519.

Following an investigation, Karla M. Jones, 34, was arrested for DUI, possession of marijuana, first-degree possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

“She attempted to swallow a baggie full of marijuana when the officer made the stop,” Howard commented. “She also was found to allegedly be in possession of one Oxycodone pill.” Jones is being held in the Carter County Detention Center on a $1,500 full-cash bond.

The MPD was called again at 9 p.m. to the Morehead Wal-Mart concerning an alleged shoplifter.

Officer Derek Howard responded to the call and arrested 27-year-old Richard D. Johnson of Morehead. Johnson was charged with theft by unlawful taking under $300, shoplifting, first-degree possession of controlled substance and public intoxication.

“He was allegedly discovered with five Oxycodone tablets and $31.77 worth of merchandise he had stolen,” Steve Howard said. Johnson is being held in the detention center on a $3,000 full-cash bond.

Another arrest was made about 9:29 p.m. when officer Brad Gillock observed a vehicle crossing the centerline along KY 32. After making the stop, Dale Crouch, 28, of Morehead was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance and prescription drugs not in proper container. Crouch allegedly had one methadone tablet in his possession. Crouch is being held on a $1,000 full-cash bond.

The busy weekend of arrests continue into Sunday when Officer Mark Hammond hauled 36-year-old Lisa Coyle of Muses Mills to jail and charged her with disregarding a traffic control device, DUI, second offense and failure to maintain insurance.

Police received a complaint about 1:45 a.m. concerning a reckless driver traveling along Interstate 64 toward Morehead. Hammond was able to stop Coyle on the eastbound ramp of I-64. Coyle’s bond or whereabouts could not to be obtained by press time.