FORT?SENECA - Numerous firearms, a grenade, hypodermic needles, drug paraphernalia and chemicals used for the manufacturing of methamphetamine were discovered Saturday during a search warrant at a rural Fort Seneca residence.
Harold W. Matthews, 35, and Victoria L. Krotzer-McKeen, 42, the residents of 627 E. TR 152, were arrested Friday night after a several hour-long standoff between law enforcement and Matthews, and police returned to the residence Saturday morning to execute a drug-related search warrant after chemical precursors to make methamphetamine were observed inside.
Matthews had multiple arrest warrants from various counties, including a felony drug charge from Delaware County, and he had barricaded himself in the residence with multiple semi-automatic weapons after law enforcement surrounded the house around 5:45 p.m. Friday.
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Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit searches a home at 627 E. TR 152 Saturday m
Krotzer-McKeen exited the house a couple of hours later, and Matthews was found inside the house hiding in a closet around midnight after policed gassed the house.
"It was evident that the suspect was not going to surrender peacefully. Desperate people make desperate choices and fortunately we were able to apprehend him and no one was hurt," said Chief David Lagrange of the Tiffin Police Department.
According to the release, Krotzer-McKeen was charged with obstructing official business, and Matthews faces charges from the multiple arrest warrants.
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PHOTO BY ERIKA PLATT-HANDRU
Law enforcement officials examine evidence that was collected Saturday morning during a methamphetamine-related search at 627 E. TR 152.
Additional charges of illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine, permitting drug abuse, possession of methamphetamine, having weapons under disability and sex offender registration violations are pending upon further investigation and lab testing of the substances removed from the residence.
"The dangers associated with the manufacturing of meth are bad enough, add the guns, explosives and a suspect on meth, then you have a great potential for harm not only to law enforcement but to the community as well," said Sgt. Donald Joseph of the Seneca County Drug Task Force METRICH Enforcement Unit in the release.
"On behalf of the sheriff's office, we're thankful for the positive outcome," said Chief Deputy Ronald Green of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office.
