Misdialed 911 call leads to GPD marijuana bust
Alert local 911 dispatchers helped Greencastle City Police officers seize a marijuana-growing operation Wednesday morning.
During the early morning hours Wednesday, Greencastle officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Wood Street regarding what appeared to be a misdial to 911.
However, Putnam County 911 dispatchers told police that they overheard a conversation on the open phone line that appeared to suggest a drug sale.
Putnam County Dispatch "pinged" the cell phone to the Wood Street area and later provided more specific information regarding the location.
Meanwhile, GPD Officer Alec Pettit observed through a window what appeared to be hanging marijuana plants, as well as a room not fully visible but illuminated with an ultraviolet light.
As officers continued attempts to make contact with the occupant or occupants of the residence, a minivan pulled into the driveway and Officer Matt Huffman shined his flashlight on the driver, identifying him on view as David Gibson.
When the officer approached the vehicle, Gibson reportedly pulled away and fled the scene.
As Huffman chased briefly on foot, a license plate number was obtained for the vehicle and confirmed the van to be registered to Gibson.
Huffman subsequently applied for a search warrant, which was later approved and then executed when Officers Pettit and Brad Hiatt made forced entry into the home.
Located inside was a marijuana-growing operation, leading to the seizure of 11 full-size marijuana plants (in addition to a number of loose marijuana branches), multiple ultraviolet lights and hydroponic equipment/fertilizer as well as paraphernalia and equipment associated with drug sales.
City officers have applied for a warrant for Gibson's arrest.
Greencastle Police were assisted at the scene by DePauw University Police Officer Brad Williams.