Olney police bust 3 for drugs, burglary

A complaint about a neighbor stealing water turned into drug and burglary arrests for an Olney man and two women, Olney police reports show. On March 16, Olney Police Detective Dustin Hudson was dispatched to 1007 W. Payne to investigate a call about water theft and discovered a water hose leading from the house into the backyard of 1005 W Payne, according to a police report. Det. Hudson followed the hose and found that it led into a window of 1005 W. Payne St., the report said. Police obtained a search warrant for fire, health, and safety code violations for not having running water or sewage and to confirm that the water hose was being used for the theft of water, Police Chief Dan Birbeck said. Police returned the next day to search the home of Smith, a convicted sex offender, and Willoughby. As police arrived at the home, Charity Heath, 37, was leaving and informed him that Alton Smith, 34, and Tracey Willoughby, 35, were asleep inside, the report said.

While attempting to locate the end of the water hose inside the home, police saw “a glass pipe and water bong commonly used to ingest methamphetamine…. in plain sight” on a dresser in the bedroom, the report said. Mr. Smith stated the pipe belonged to him and Ms. Willoughby. They were arrested and taken to Young County Jail, and police obtained a second warrant to search for more drugs, the report said.

During the second search, Det. Hudson said he also discovered “a glass jar on a fish tank containing a white/ clear crystal-like substance known to me through training and experience to be methamphetamine,” a glass jar containing marijuana, a grinder, pipes and bongs, and a social security card belonging to someone other than Smith or Willoughby.

The two were charged with felony drug possession for the 4.8 grams of methamphetamine found in the home, plus water theft, Police Chief Dan Birbeck said. Police also found multiple violations of the city building code, including trash in the yard and a junked vehicle, the report said. Animal Control Officer Hollie Hawkins seized two roosters and two hens from in an enclosure in the backyard that did not meet the square footage requirements or requirements for water outlined in a city ordinance, the report said.

On March 22, Olney police got a call for suspicious activity at a home on N.

Gray Street, Chief Birbeck said. The officer discovered Smith and Heath inside the home and questioned them, but could not immediately reach the homeowner to determine whether they had permission to be inside the residence, Chief Birbeck said.

The two were arrested later, when police reached the homeowner and learned that he had not consented, he said. The following day, warrants were obtained for Heath and Smith. Smith was arrested March 23 and Heath on March 27, jail records show. Smith remains jailed on $35,000 bond for the burglary charge. Heath, who has multiple arrests for criminal trespass and burglary, is jailed in lieu of $35,000, jail records show.