Five Arrested on Drug Charges

(BEDFORD) – Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies arrested five people on meth charges Sunday after they were called the Dollar General Store on US 50 East.

Police arrested:

Timothy A. Brinegar, 55, of 1609 16th St., on charges of dealing meth, possession of meth, possession of a handgun without a license and possession of marijuana.

Michele L. Jones, 58, 1609 16th St., on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vicki R. Chandler, 55, of 4182 Tunnelton Road, on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William R. Chandler, 55, 4182 Tunnelton Road, on charges of possession of meth and unlawful possession of a syringe.

David M. Halley, 40, Mitchell, on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a Lawrence County Superior Court I probable cause affidavit, deputies went to the Dollar Store on US 50 East after an employee reported five people entered the store, stole items and were sitting in the parking lot on two all-terrain vehicles outside.

When police arrived, Vicki and William Chandler were sitting on two separate ATVs. Police allege that William Chandler was “rapidly reaching” into his pockets and appeared to be hiding an object in an ATV storage compartment. During a pat-down, an officer allegedly found a used syringe inside a glasses case.

When police searched Vicki Chandler, who was accused of wearing clothing with Dollar General tags still attached, they allegedly found a smoking device containing burnt marijuana.

Police searched one of the ATVs and allegedly found a loaded handgun and a digital scale with drug residue on it. They also found an ID card belonging to Jones, along with a smoking device containing meth. Brinegar allegedly told police the ATV and handgun belonged to him.

An officer also searched Halley and found that he had a baggie containing meth.

After transporting them to the jail, one officer found two baggies containing meth in the back of his squad car. When the officer reviewed security footage later, it showed Brinegar removing several items from his pants and shoving them into the backseat.