A routine traffic stop netted Austin police three individuals in possession of equipment and materials for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Monday, September 11, 2000

A routine traffic stop netted Austin police three individuals in possession of equipment and materials for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

According to an Austin Police Department report, Doug Root, 33, of Austin, Troy Meyers, 33, of no permanent address, and Mike E. Hegna, 31, of Austin, face charges of intent to manufacture methamphetamine and are being held in the Mower County Jail.

An Austin police officer on routine patrol along Fourth Street SE pulled in behind a vehicle that suddenly stopped along the street at 2:40 a.m. Saturday.

The officer identified Meyers for whom an active arrest warrant had been issued.

With the assistance of a second police officer, the vehicle was searched, revealing a tote bag and briefcase containing materials and equipment for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Root also was discovered to be driving the vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

Cash taken from account

Terry Mattson, 50 of Austin, discovered her balance shrunken at the Hormel Employees Credit Union.

When she checked further, she discovered her name was forged on withdrawal slips and $3,800 was missing.

According to an Austin Police Department report, the theft of the money was discovered Sept. 6, when the account holder discovered a balance of only $700.

With the help of credit union, the account holder checked withdrawal slips and discovered a series of them written Aug. 29 and 30 and Sept. 1 and 5 for a total of $3,800.

Police have identified suspects and the case has been turned over to the Mower County attorney for review and possible felony theft charges.

Discover fake bill

A Wells Fargo Bank employee discovered a counterfeit $20 bill when tallying an Austin business’ receipts.

The teller was counting money deposited by the Hardee’s restaurant manager at 101 Fourth St. SW, when the fake $20 bill was discovered.

According to an Austin Police Department report, it appears the bill was made using a laser printer.

Dog, owners reunited

Conflicting stories surround a report of a dog being hurled from a moving vehicle.

However, the dog has been returned to its owners and its injuries are not serious.

According to an Austin Police Department report, two eyewitnesses claim to have seen a boy throw a dog from a moving pickup truck.

The incident happened last Thursday evening near the intersection of Seventh Avenue SW and Second Street SW.

The eyewitnesses also told police they saw the large, brown dog get up and following the pickup truck until giving up the chase.

Austin police contacted the driver of the pickup truck and asked the boy about the allegations. He denied them.

When interviewed a second time, the juvenile told police he found the dog and the animal jumped from his pickup truck and ran off.

An animal matching the description given was captured and taken to the Austin Animal Shelter. It was suffering a bloodied nose and other superficial injuries.

Then, Pat and Penny Murphy reported their dog stolen and the description they gave matched the animal held in the Austin Animal Shelter.

Also, the Murphys told police they saw a pickup truck matching the description of the one driven by the boy driving around their neighborhood in northwest Austin prior to their dog’s disappearance.

The Murphys were reunited with their dog at the city shelter and the case remains under investigation.