On November 27th, Detectives with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and Troopers with the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) served a search warrant in the 4500 block of Old SR 37 South in Bloomington.
Arrested were
Robert Merek, 31 of Bloomington
-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
-Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony
-Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (4 Cts.)
-Possession of a syringe, Level 6 Felony
-Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
-Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
-Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Hayley Sipes, 23 of Bloomington (No Photo Available)
-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
-Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony
-Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (4 Cts.)
-Possession of a syringe, Level 6 Felony
-Trafficking with an inmate, Level 5 Felony
-Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
-Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Hali Bales, 23 of Mooresville
-Warrant Morgan Co.
Aggravated Battery Use when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, Level 3 Felony
Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Level 5 Felony
Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, Level 6 Felony
-False Informing, Class A Misdemeanor
-False Identity Statement, Level 6 Felony
Elijah N. Bowles, 21 of Martinsville
-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
-Trafficking with an inmate, Level 5 Felony
-Possession of a handgun without a license, Class A Misdemeanor
Jerrel R. Lane, 26 of Detroit, Michigan
-Dealing Heroin, Level 2 Felony
-Possession of heroin, Level 4 Felony
-Dealing a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (3cts)
-Possession of a Narcotic drug, level 6 Felony (3cts)
-Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
The search warrant was obtained after an investigation of alleged drug dealing activities at the residence.
Information led detectives to believe that Robert Merek, 31 of Bloomington, who was currently on home detention monitoring by the Monroe County Probation Department, was dealing methamphetamine.
Once Indiana State Troopers arrived at the residence, Merek jumped out of a bedroom window and began to flee.
Troopers apprehended him after a short foot pursuit.
The search of the residence revealed 35 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.
In addition, troopers recovered heroin, hypodermic syringes, marijuana, and multiple controlled substance pills.
The residents of the address, Merek and Hayley Sipes, 23 of Bloomington, were both arrested on multiple drug related offenses including Level 2 Felony dealing methamphetamine charges.
Upon arrival at the jail, Sipes was found by Jail Officers attempting to smuggle multiple narcotic pills into the jail by hiding them in her bra.
The Indiana State Police continued with the investigation and on November 28th, DES detectives observed multiple suspected drug dealers arrive at the same residence.
ISP DES and A.C.E.S. contact with these suspects resulted in officers locating 28 grams of heroin in the possession of Jerrel Lane, 26 of Detroit, Michigan.
Lane also possessed over 200 narcotic drug pills, which were packaged for sale.
In addition, Elijah Bowles, 21 of Martinsville, was found to be in possession of a handgun without a license.
Hali Bales, 23 of Mooresville, who originally gave officers a false name and identifying information, was positively identified and found to be wanted on multiple felony arrest warrants including aggravated battery posing a substantial risk of death and battery by means of a deadly weapon.
Elijah Bowles was found by Jail Officers attempting to smuggle approximately 9 grams of methamphetamine into the jail by concealing it in his underwear.
This investigation is ongoing. Troopers involved in the investigation and arrests were DES Detectives, along with Trp. Chris Griggs, Trp. Matt Hatchett, Trp. Riley Nungester, Trp. Mark Clephane, and Sgt. Greg Day.
Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Bloomington Indiana State Police Post at 812-332-4411. Your tip can remain anonymous and could save lives!
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
