Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) - Police discovered a methamphetamine lab in an apartment next to a child daycare center.
“This is definitely one of the more heinous scenes we have encountered,” a Columbus narcotics officer said.
“This guy had open glass containers of chemical solvents just sitting around. And he had refuse from previous cooks just thrown out on the back porch. We were very fortunate someone in the area was not hurt,” the officer told The Republic.
By department policy, the officer’s identity was not disclosed. He said police were searching for the suspect Tuesday night.
Police had been investigating complaints from neighbors about chemical odors for several weeks. On Monday, police were called to the apartment by utility representatives on a report of electrical service being stolen.
The suspect allegedly stole an electric meter from a nearby unoccupied apartment after Cinergy disconnected service to his apartment.
Officers Troy Love and Jason Christophel then saw items commonly used in the production of methamphetamine and contacted narcotics officers.
The apartment is next to a KinderCare Learning Center.