Meth items in trunk lead to burglar

HARTFORD, Mich. (WOOD) - An investigation that turned up methamphetamine-manufacturing items in a trunk of a car led to the arrest of a home invasion suspect.

The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit received a tip about possible meth manufacturing taking place by some Hartford residents who were using a vehicle to transport and store the meth-manufacturing items.

Detectives located the suspects' vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Marion Street in Hartford around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Detectives noticed the vehicle's engine was on and two people in the vehicle.

The registered owner, a 23-year-old woman, was in the driver's seat and consented to a search of the vehicle and trunk. A 24-year-old man was in the passenger seat.

Police searched the trunk and saw a backpack that contained items used to make meth.

The Hartford Police Department was investigating an unrelated home invasion, and learned the 24-year-old man was the same person as the suspect in their case. Officers arrived at the scene of the vehicle containing meth products, and questioned the man about their investigation.

The man was arrested on charges of home invasion.

The meth lab case and the home invasion are not related.

Once the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office for review, and charges of operating/maintaining a meth lab will be requested against both suspects.

Anyone with more information can call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at 269.657.3101, Crime Stoppers at 1.800.342.7867, Silent Observer at 269.343.2100, or send a text to 274637 ("CRIMES") with the keyword VBCTIP, or submit an online tip.