Peru – Last night, a traffic stop by Indiana State Trooper Ben Reason led to the arrests of Melissa Elliott, 43, and Robert Elliott, 43, both from Peru, IN. They were incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face a felony charge for possession of methamphetamine and a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia. Melissa Elliott faces an additional felony charge for possession of a scheduled II narcotic. Robert Elliott faces an additional misdemeanor count for possession of marijuana.
Yesterday, at approximately 8:41 p.m., Indiana State Trooper Ben Reason initiated a traffic stop on a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck on Broadway Street near Riverside Street, in Peru. The truck allegedly had an expired license plate. During the course of the traffic stop, Reason noticed indicators that criminal activity might be afoot. Reason deployed his narcotics detecting police dog, Cartoush, to conduct a free air sniff around the truck. Cartoush gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle.
During a subsequent search of the truck, officers allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription medication, and drug paraphernalia.
Trooper Reason was assisted during the traffic stop by officers from the Peru Police Department and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department.
Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with any information about the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of methamphetamine. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
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