HARTSELLE-Two men Arrested and charged With Unlawful Possession by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force.
“On Wednesday, February 24th, 2016, Hartselle Police received a call from Walgreen’s stating that a subject had tried to steal some items but returned them. Hartselle Police observed the suspects leaving the parking lot and stopped them. Walgreens stated that they wanted the subjects trespassed from the store.
Officers made contact with Derrick Halbrooks and Zachary Merriman, both of Vinemont. Officers questioned the subjects about the incident at Walgreen’s. Halbrooks stated that he returned the items to the store.
Officers asked consent to search the vehicle but were denied by Merriman. Morgan County K-9 unit was on scene and utilized 
the K-9. The K-9 indicated for the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Officers also observed several items that didn’t belong to either subject.
Morgan County Drug Task Force Agents arrived on scene and conducted an investigation. Both subjects stated that the meth didn’t belong to them. Mr. Halbrooks told the agents that he had stolen the property from a residence on Round Top Rd. in the Southwest part of Morgan County. Morgan County Sheriff’s CID unit arrived and questioned the subjects. It was determined that the property was in fact stolen from a residence a short time prior to the traffic stop.
Investigators charged Halbrooks was Burglary 3rd. Drug Task Force Agents also charged Halbrooks with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine. Merriman was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine. Bond is set at $7,500.00 on Halbrooks and $2,500.00 on Merriman. Other charges are pending on Halbrooks once the Burglary investigation is completed.”
