Police: Report of stolen cell phone leads to drug bust in North Vernon

Four women arrested during search warrant

(NORTH VERNON, Ind.) – A North Vernon teenager reported her cell phone stolen and police say it led to a drug bust. 

It began when North Vernon officers were called to investigate a suspicious group of people on High Street last Sunday night. 

According to police, 18-year-old Erica Brown said her phone had been stolen from a home on Sixth Street and that she was using the “Find My Phone” app to locate the phone on High Street. 

Police investigated the stolen cell phone which brought them to that home on Sixth Street where it was allegedly taken. 

While outside of the house, police say they smelled marijuana and also saw signs of drug use through the window of the home. 

A search warrant was issued and police say they found methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, prescription pills, syringes, paraphernalia, over 200 small baggies and scales. 

Police say they also found Brown’s cell phone that she reported as missing.

Brown was arrested along with 29-year-old Dakota Taylor, 18-year-old Kaylee Oliphant, 20-year-old Kassandra Batts, and 31-year-old Trent Burton, all of North Vernon.

Taylor, Burton and Oliphant have been preliminarily charged with Possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic needle, and possession of paraphernalia.

Brown and Batts have been charged with visiting a common nuisance.