Published: July 10, 2009 10:22 pm         

Police arrest Terre Haute man on meth charges

TERRE HAUTE — A Terre Haute man faces multiple criminal charges after police tracked down a reported odor of a meth lab in the 2400 block of Putnam Street.

Richard Wayne Ward, 45, made an initial appearance in Vigo Superior Court 1 on Friday after being arrested on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possessing chemical reagents/precursors, possession of paraphernalia, manufacturing methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement and possession of a firearm by a violent felon.

Sgt. Doug Brentlinger of the Terre Haute Police reported in court that Ward was apprehended after fleeing from his house and hiding in a nearby alley early Thursday. Police say they received consent to search Ward’s residence and found several items related to the manufacture of methamphetamine, as well as a .38-caliber revolver and ammunition. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team responded to the scene to collect the materials.

Special Judge Dexter Bolin set Ward’s bail at $50,000 with no 10 percent allowed, and appointed public defender Luther Garcia as Ward’s attorney. Charges against Ward will be formalized at a hearing on July 15.

Records at the Vigo County Jail show nine previous arrests since 2003 for Ward on charges including possession of methamphetamine, invasion of privacy, habitual traffic offender and failure to appear in court.