Off duty Noble County officer smells meth lab on jog

NOBLE COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) A sergeant with the Noble County Sheriff’s Department came across a chemical odor, which led to a one pot meth lab inside a home.  The off duty officer made the discovery while jogging Sunday night.

Noble County police said on April 1 at around 5:30 p.m., Sgt. Chris Moriarity was off duty and jogging on CR 900 N, near Rome City, when he smelled a strong chemical odor commonly associated with the manufacturing of meth.

Moriarity determined the odor was coming from a home at 3313 E 900 N and called for assistance from a Noble County deputy.

The two went to the home and found Mark Heine, 36, of Rome City just inside the door. He invited the officers inside, where they proceeded to go upstairs.

While upstairs, officers found Justin Handshoe, 24, of Albion who was holding a one pot meth lab. He opened up the window and tossed the meth lab outside.

Officials said Handshoe created a brief struggle when officers tried to detain him, but they were able to handcuff him.

Police said they found multiple items used to make meth lying throughout the room.

Minutes later, the one pot meth lab thrown outside started a small fire in the yard.  Deputies put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.  The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section came and processed the scene and properly disposed of the hazardous materials.

Neighbors in the area said they're not surprised by the meth bust.

"I've seen a lot of lives destroyed by it.  This stuff needs to be kept off our streets," said William Woody, who lives across the street from the meth bust.

Moriarity said it's just another sign of the growing meth problems in Noble County.

"Plans got changed I suppose pretty quickly but I suppose that's what many of us do anyway," Moriarity said.  "The meth problem isn't getting any better.  I guess I couldn't not take any action."

Both Heine and Handshoe were arrested and face charges of making meth.