Columbia police arrested eight people Tuesday morning and recovered drugs, paraphernalia and a weapon as they served a warrant in the Popetown area.
Officers converged on a home at the corner of North Main and West Rankin streets around 9 a.m.
Police Chief Michael Kelly said the investigation had been going on for several weeks after neighbors complained about the house. He called it a successful collaboration between police and “a community that is ready to see the drugs gone.”
Jeffery Glen Turner, 38, of Columbia faces felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Seven others were charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. Those include Ryan Tolar, 35, Jenea Thornhill, 27, Robert Berry, 31, Benjamin Holmes, 62, Tresa Wooten, 52, Bobby Turner, 44, and Marry Stringer, 52.
In addition to the tips from neighbors, Kelly said the city code enforcement officer had noticed structures that had been erected and an outdoor toilet that were possible code violations.
“As we looked into the residence and the people who were living there, we found more and more things that were going on there of an illegal nature. It led us to go ahead and execute the search warrant,” Kelly said.
Kelly said officers found a variety of items and made the arrests when they entered the house.
“We recovered some stolen property,” he said. “There was methamphetamine, prescription medications that are used for abuse and a weapon. We’ve not determined if the weapon is stolen or not. It is still under investigation. At any rate, there was a convicted felon in the house, so it was illegal for them to even possess that weapon. It was a good morning for us – for Columbia.”
Kelly said police will continue to crack down on illegal activities in the city and that Neighborhood Watch groups are going well.
“Just having people in the neighborhood who are the eyes and ears, who contact us, is important,” he said. “It has been very successful for us. We appreciate people reaching out to us and letting us know about things like this.”
Pictured Above: Columbia Police Chief Michael Kelly, center, discusses the operation with officers after they served a warrant on North Main Street Tuesday morning. Police began an investigation based on neighbors’ tips. | Photo by Mark Rogers
