RICHMOND —

Two people were arrested Sunday after a Richmond Police K-9 unit found drugs inside a vehicle on Lassiter Drive, according to a news release from Chief Larry Brock.

“At about 10:30 p.m., a Richmond police officer observed a vehicle parked in the wrong direction on Lassiter Drive and observed activity that led the officer to believe a possible drug deal was occurring,” Brock said.

“The vehicle then entered the traveled portion of the roadway where the officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle”

The vehicle operator was identified as Melody C. Hamblin,  29, of Palm Hill Drive. Elizabeth D. Rothwell, 28, of Race Street was identified as a passenger in the vehicle, according to the release.

Hamblin produced a set of brass knuckles that were concealed inside her clothing, Brock said. Police also found an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle, he said.

“Hamblin was taken into custody and became disorderly before being place in a police car,” the chief said.

Officers learned Rothwell was wanted on a failure-to-appear warrant, and she was taken into custody at which time also became disorderly, the news release stated.

The K-9 alerted on the vehicle, and a search of the vehicle produced and oxycodone pill and 10 benzonatate pills, Brock stated in the release

Both women were taken to the Madison County Detention Center.

Hamblin was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a legend drug, possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, second-degree disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon, excessive windshield tinting, failure to signal and improper parking, the release stated.

Hamblin was released from the detention center Monday on a $2,500, unsecured, third-party bond with home incarceration.

Rothwell was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a legend drug and second-degree disorderly conduct.

She remained in the Madison County Detention Center on Monday under a $2,500, unsecured, third-party bond.

Other arrests:

• A man police say was leaving a Richmond store without paying for merchandise was arrested Sunday on theft and drug charges. Richmond police arrested Regina C. Riddell, 41, of Green’s Crossing Road, after they say she tried to stead $370 worth of merchandise from Kohl’s.

Officers were called to the store at 5:53 p.m., according to Brock.

“Upon arrival, officers learned that Riddell had been detained by store employees after she attempted to exit the store without paying for the merchandise,” the chief said. “Officers took Riddell into custody and a search of her person and belongings produced three methadone pills and a Lortab pill.”

Riddell was charged with first-and second-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft by unlawful taking (under $500). She also was served a Laurel County failure-to-appear warrant.

She remained in the detention center Monday on a $3,500 cash bond.

Melissa K. Mason, 31, of Logan Avenue was arrested Sunday on an indictment warrant charging her with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, according to the RPD news release.

“The charges stem from a covert investigation conducted by the Richmond Police Department’s Narcotics Unit in January 2012,” Brock stated in the release.

During the investigation, Percocet (oxycodone) pills were purchased from Mason on two separate occasions, the chief said. Mason later was indicted by a Madison County grand jury in June, and an arrest warrant was issued.

Mason was found Sunday on Turpin Drive where she was arrested without incident and taken into custody, the news release stated

Mason remained in the detention center Monday under a $5,000 cash bond.

Twanna M. Isaacs, 18, of N. Killarney Lane, was arrested Aug. 16 after police investigated a drug-trafficking complaint at Quality Quarters Inn, according to the news release.

Officers responded to the motel at 2:11 p.m. to investigate a complaint by management indicating two men were selling drugs in the area, Brock said.

“The complainant pointed out a vehicle involved in the reported activity, and police observed that it had stopped at a tobacco store nearby,” he said. “When officers approached the vehicle, they identified the driver as Isaacs.”

Officers recovered one oxycodone (Percocet) pill from Isaacs but no other contraband was found, according to police. Three other passengers in the vehicle were checked and released.

Isaacs was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance and was taken to the Madison County Detention Center. She remains in the Madison County Detention Center also on a  $2,500, unsecured, third-party bond.    

Other crimes:

• A resident in the 200 block of Hisle Drive reported Saturday that several lawn and garden tools had been stolen from the back yard of his home the previous day. Listed as stolen were: a green weed trimmer; a red Ranger wagon; a garden pick; two spades; six shovels; and six rakes. Estimated loss is $365.

• A resident of Robinson Terrace reported Saturday that a yellow Sponge Bob children’s television and an old DVD player had been stolen from a storage room at the complex during the past two months. Estimated loss is $100.

• At least six vehicles were broken into Aug. 17 and 18 with stolen items ranging from prescription medication and school supplies to debit cards and electronics    

• A guest at the Country Hearth Inn reported Aug. 17 that he had loaned his vehicle to an acquaintance in the early morning hours to go to the store. After seven hours, the acquaintance had failed to return the vehicle. The missing vehicle was described as a maroon 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, 4-door, bearing Kentucky license plate No. 6336CW (Marine Corps veteran tag).  

• A representative of Personal Touch Dry Cleaners, Wayne Drive, reported Aug. 17 that the business had been broken into overnight and a small amount of cash was stolen. Entry was gained by breaking a rear window, according to police. The estimated loss is $20.

• A resident in the 300 block of North Second Street reported Aug. 16 that a Remington Wingmaster 12-gauge pump shotgun had been stolen from his home during the past six weeks. The shotgun was equipped with rifle sights, an aluminum flashlight mount with a black LED tactical light attached, a speed stock, a black sling and has a silver colored receiver. The estimated loss is $400.

• A resident of an apartment in the 100 block of Alycia Drive reported Aug. 16 that two televisions had been stolen from the residence during the past month while the victim was out of town. There were no signs of forced entry, according to police. Reported missing were: a 32-inch Samsung television, model No. LN32C540F2D, serial No. Z1NX3CHZ901485 and a Samsung 19-inch television. Estimated loss is $850.

• A representative of Pizza Hut, 116 S. Keeneland Drive, reported Aug. 16 that the business had been unlawfully entered overnight and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. There were no signs of forced entry, police said.

• A representative of Sonoco, 100 Continental Dr., reported Aug. 16 that eight batteries had been stolen overnight from three semi-trucks parked at the business. Estimated loss is $1,200.

Anyone with information regarding the above listed cases is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@

richmondregister.com

or 624-6608.