Two break-ins lead to meth operation

ELBERTA, Ala. - It began with trespassing, and turned out to be a whole lot more. Elberta police tell FOX10 News a home was broken into twice in one week. Officers have arrested two people and connected them to a meth operation.

No trespassing signs are posted at the entrance of a home on Stucki Road. But police say two people didn't care.

When police arrived, they say they found Angela Gardner walking out the front door. Her alleged accomplice, Donald King, was upstairs hiding next to the water heater.

"He had wiggled himself completely behind the water heater and the only thing my officers found was the back end of his jeans and shoes. But we finally drug him out of there," said Chief Mickey Pledger.

Investigators say they broke into the home twice this week to steal air conditioning units.

The latest crime happened Thursday evening.

Police continued their investigation and found evidence that linked them to another Elberta address. That evidence led police to a home on Sandy Lane where they found even more stolen goods.

Police also found materials use in a shake and bake meth lab. So they called in the narcotics division.

Richard Hicks works next door to the home on Sandy Lane and saw all the commotion.

"The fire trucks were parked back here and had the big headlights out. And when we were leaving they were still here," said Hicks.

So far, the two have been charged with burglary.

Police say had these two obeyed the no trespassing signs posted, they would not be in this situation. The suspects even had a police scanner, but apparently they weren't listening very well, according to authorities.

The person who lives in the burglarized home is William Jewett. Police believe the suspects targeted Jewett's home because he is a wanted fugitive and hasn't been seen at the home.

Jewett's known location has been in the South Baldwin County area. He is wanted by federal authorities for illegal possession of a firearm.

If you know where William Jewett might be, please call your local police department to get him off the streets.