Richard Greathouse, 23, of Austin, has been charged with selling drugs in a drug-free school zone.

Monday, April 30, 2001

Richard Greathouse, 23, of Austin, has been charged with selling drugs in a drug-free school zone.

According to an Austin Police Department report, Greathouse and a friend, Franklin Tubbs, were walking along 4th Street Northwest near 10:42 p.m. in the vicinity of Austin High School.

Austin police officers were looking for an acquaintance of the pair wanted for violating an order for protection and the men were stopped.

When the men became uncooperative, the first officer at the scene drew his service weapon and ordered them to the ground. Greathouse had to be maced before he complied. A second officer arrived on the scene to assist.

When Greathouse was searched, 10 baggies of a substance believed to be marijuana was found on his person as well as five bundles of a substance believed to be methamphetamine. In addition $170 in cash was discovered.

According to the police report, Tubbs was released, but Greathouse was jailed on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and felony possession of a controlled substance, because of the amount of drugs found on the man, and gross misdemeanor resisting arrest as well as possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free school zone.

Juveniles arrested

Austin police officers were called to College Park Apartments on the campus of Riverland Community College over the weekend.

The manager of the student housing complex reported a party in progress where underage guests were in attendance.

When Austin officers arrived and searched the apartment, they found many juveniles hiding in a closet and under a bed.

Eight juveniles were cited for minor consuming violations.

Police seeking ‘gypsy’ cab

Austin police have been alerted to the possibility that an illegal "gypsy" cab service may be in operation.

According to a police report, the owner of AB Taxi reported a former driver of his is using his personal blue conversion van to transport riders for a fee.

He calls the service "Safe and Sober Taxi" and alleges he is a licensed taxi service.

Arson suspected

LEROY – Two juveniles could be charged with arson in connection with multiple fires apparently intentionally set near LeRoy last week.

According to a Mower County Sheriff’s Department report, the fire was discovered by a Mower County Sheriff’s Department deputy on routine patrol. The deputy noticed smoke north of the city of LeRoy near 6:30 p.m. and ordered the LeRoy Volunteer Fire Department dispatched to the scene.

The investigation revealed three separate fires were set along an abandoned railroad trestle and two juveniles, ages 14 and 16, were apprehended.