Man arrested after drug deal reported in parking lot

A Findlay man was arrested on a warrant and charges of driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Friday.

Additional charges of possession of heroin, possession of illicit prescription pills and tampering with evidence were pending for Chad M. Valentine, 41, according to a release from Seneca County Drug Task Force - METRICH Enforcement Unit. He was incarcerated in Seneca County Jail, said Detective Chuck Boyer, unit coordinator.

According to a Tiffin Police Department report, a person from Tiffin Powder Coating, 280 Heritage Drive, requested to speak to an officer about suspicious activity involving an employee and possible drug activity Friday morning.
A person called 911 and advised a black SUV was in the lot to purchase drugs from the employee, and the vehicle left southbound on SR 53, the report states.

Tiffin police officers saw a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox leaving the area. The vehicle attempted to elude officers during a traffic stop, and the driver exited the vehicle, the release states.

A foot pursuit ensued, and the suspect was apprehended by officers.

"(Valentine) ran on foot," Boyer said.

Boyer credited the initial traffic stop and arrest by Officer Justin Nowak of Tiffin Police Department as being instrumental to the investigation's success. METRICH agents and additional police department detectives were requested to assist with the drug-related traffic stop.

"They contacted us and asked if we were working," Boyer said.

Another vehicle was found to be related to the suspicious activity, and the vehicles were detained for investigative purposes, the release states.

Boyer said the other vehicle was driven to work by the employee of the business that reported the suspicious activity.

The woman had not been charged Friday, but she could be charged pending the outcome of the investigation, he said.

Search warrants, which were signed by Judge Mark Repp of Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court, were executed on both vehicles.

The search warrants and arrest of the suspect unveiled suspected heroin, marijuana, illicit prescription pills, money and drug paraphernalia, the release states.

Originally published in the Advertiser Tribune on November 8, 2014.

 

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