Level Plains officers make drug arrests, assist in capture of attempted murderer

An Enterprise man is behind bars after Level Plains police allegedly discovered a "rolling meth lab" in his vehicle during a Dec. 28 traffic stop on Z Street.

Level Plains police chief Lanice Bonds said during questioning one of four individuals in the vehicle allegedly removed a bag and threw it underneath the vehicle.

Bonds said a search of the car resulted in the discovery of a methamphetamine lab and other drug paraphernalia. Police arrested 28 year-old James Curtis Adkins and charged him with unlawful manufacturing, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The three other passengers in the vehicle were questioned and released.

The Daleville Department of Public Safety and the Dale County Sheriff's Department assisted during the search.

In other crime news, two officers received minor injuries after a Dec. 15 encounter with a man wanted for attempted murder in Daleville.

According to Bonds, officers with Level Plains and the Dale County Sherriff's Office were responding to a burglary in progress call on Private Road 1419 when they encountered two subjects that were later identified by neighbors as the alleged burglars.

While conducting a record check on the subjects, officers found one had a warrant pending for attempted murder in Daleville.

When officers attempted to take the subject into custody, a struggle ensued, which resulted in the subject being Tased, Bonds said.

After not responding to the Taser, the subject broke free and fled on foot. Bonds said he was later recaptured with the assistance of the Dale County Sheriff's Office, Dale County helicopter, Daleville Police Department and the Houston County Dog Tracking Team.

James Maurice Tanner, 20, of Ozark, was arrested on the attempted murder warrant, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer and other pending charges and was taken to the Dale County Jail.

Charges are also pending on the second subject involved in the incident, Bonds said.

In an unrelated matter, a resident on Dale County Road 1 came home Dec. 26 to find that their home had been burglarized. The victim's car, a 42-inch flat screen television, jewelry, tools and other items had been removed from the home.

Bonds said following leads and through the assistance of the Dothan Police Department, many of the items were recovered.

Bonds said arrests have been made and warrants are pending for others who were involved in the crime.

"Names and charges are forthcoming and will be released after appropriate charges are filed," Bonds said.