FINDLAY - An apparent plot to manufacture and distribute the illegal street drug methamphetamine, known as meth, was foiled by Findlay police Monday as they pursued a man accused of shoplifting.
The incident began shortly before noon with a shoplifting complaint at the Kroger store at 1996 Tiffin Ave., police said.
The suspected thief, Larry D. Lacy, 48, of St. Albans, W.Va., fled in a passenger car.
Officers caught up to it in a Wal-Mart parking lot at 2500 Tiffin Ave.
The car's trunk contained numerous products used to make methamphetamine, Sgt. Robert Ring said.
Mr. Lacy was one of five people - four men and a woman - taken into custody. All but one was charged.Mr. Lacy, Mark A. West, 33, of Liberty, W.Va., and Cynthia J. Overbee, 43, of St. Albans, W.Va., were charged with illegal possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, a third-degree felony. Mr. Lacy also was charged with petty theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The trio were booked into the Hancock County Justice Center, police said.
Benjamin G. Thomas, 22, of Findlay, was charged with obstruction. He eventually was released, police said.
One of the males was released without being charged, police said.
The car was processed by Findlay police, Hancock Metrich Enforcement Unit, the Findlay Fire Department, and Eagle Environmental. One of the drugs used to create the meth can be instantly fatal if inhaled, authorities said.
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