BEDFORD – This morning, shortly after midnight, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. were notified by Bedford Police Department officers of the whereabouts of two wanted Lawrence County residents.
Bedford Police officers learned 24-year-old Owen Watson and 23-year-old Sydney Thompson who were both wanted on failure to appear warrants were living in the 200 block of Fayetteville-Owen Road.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., troopers went to the residence on Fayetteville-Owen Road in an attempt to execute the two arrest warrants. As troopers approached they saw Waston in a front window.
Troopers knocked and made loud announcements of their presence, but no one answered the door.
In order to ensure the safety of themselves, the suspects, and the large aggressive dogs at the residence, the troopers did not force entry into the home. Instead, they remained on scene, giving repeated commands for Watson and Thompson to exit.
Finally, close to two hours later, Thompson agreed to exit the residence and was arrested.
Thompson denied that Watson was in the residence. As a trooper entered the now open door, Watson announced he would surrender and he was detained.
During a search prior to transport to the jail, Watson was discovered to be in possession of a cut straw that contained heroin residue.
After being denied consent to search the house, troopers applied for and obtained a search warrant from Superior Court 2 Judge Robert Cline.
During a search of the residence, troopers located several baggies containing heroin residue, an additional baggie with more than 2 grams of heroin, hypodermic syringes, digital scales, various controlled substances, pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Both Owen Watson and Sydney Thompson were arrested on their respective outstanding warrants. In addition, they each face charges of possession of heroin, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of legend drug, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with illegal drug activity information is requested to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All calls are confidential.
