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8/22/2008 12:30:00 AM
City home going to pot
Three arrested after neighbors notice marijuana plant growing in front window.

Georgette Senter
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Police removed six potted marijuana plants Tuesday night from a home in the 1800 block of Pear Street after neighbors spotted a large marijuana plant in the front window.

Three suspects - Rachel Anne Barnes, 27, and Donald Charles Hansen, 30, both at 1804 Pear St., and John Phillip Lowry, 37, 1702 Elston St. - found inside the home were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

Sgt. John Deaner was off duty at his home nearby when two neighbors told him they could see a potted marijuana plant in a window of the home. Deaner saw the plant and called for uniform patrol officers.

Officers Dion Campbell, Zanda Chavez and Jillian Ashley responded. Campbell and Deaner went to the front door, while Chavez and Ashley went to the back of the property.

After knocking on the door and identifying themselves as police officers, Lowry opened the door while still speaking on his cell phone.

Police say Lowry dropped the phone and started to run away. The officers saw Lowry reach for his waistband and toss something into an open doorway.

As they were subduing Lowry, Barnes and Hansen came out of a room and were taken into custody.

Along with the marijuana plant found in a front bedroom, the officers found more plants in a garage on the property. All the plants have been removed and taken as evidence.

Maybe they were going for a new theme with their decor?