02/18/13 Friday afternoon just before 2 Plymouth police officers were dispatched to the Country Place Apartments in reference to Tyler Byers violating a “No Trespass Order” for the property. He was seen going into apartment number 24.
Corporal Ray West and K9 Officer John Weir responded to the complaint and as they approached the apartment heard screams from a small girl inside the apartment. Officer Weir also smelled the odor of ammonia as they reached the upstairs apartment. As entry was made it the apartment the room was cloudy and the strong odor of chemicals was present. The Plymouth officer saw two small girls in the back bedroom and then saw 22 year old Tyler Byers of Culver look out another bedroom door. As the Officer Weir went to apprehend Byers in the bedroom he saw three or four other subjects in the bedroom jumping from the second story window. After placing Byers in custody he radioed the locations of the runners.
The runners, 27 year old Shawn Brown and 26 year old Brian Tapia were apprehended by Police Chief Dave Bacon and Stg. Mark Owen running through the back of Packard Woods. The officers also recovered a backpack containing several meth precursors and lab items.
24 year old Courtney Owens of Plymouth, 39 year old Stephanie Berg of Hamlet and 37 year old Julie Salyer of San Pierre were still in the apartment along with the 2 year old and 5 year old girls.
Officer Weir called for assistance because another bedroom in the Country Place Apartment was locked and it was unknown if anyone else was inside it. ISP Trooper Jason Faulstich and Detective Jim Cox mad the scene and kicked in the door. They located an active methamphetamine lab.
Everyone was removed from the apartment and representatives from the Division of Family and Children and Plymouth EMS made the scene. The children were transported to the emergency room and all suspects were transported to the Marshall County Jail.
The Indiana State Police Meth Lab Team arrived on the scene later in the day and cleared the labs from the apartment.
