Two face possession charges after traffic stop

CHILLICOTHE - Two Circleville residents are facing charges because of what officers found in the vehicle they were driving.

Police stopped a white Dodge Dakota truck traveling west on 7th Street shortly after 7:45 p.m. Friday when the driver failed to stop or slow down at the intersection of McArthur Street at an estimated speed of 25 to 30 mph, according to Chillicothe Police reports.

The officer noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked the driver, 39-year-old Gregory S. Hartzell to step out. During a pat down, the officer found a syringe in his front right pocket, which Hartzell said was for “shooting” heroin and methamphetamine, according to reports.

A K-9 unit sniffed around the vehicle and indicated on the passenger side, and the passenger, 31-year-old Emily A. Nungester, was asked to step outside, reports showed.

A search of the vehicle revealed various items of paraphernalia, along with wire, tubing, a mask, and mason jars and funnels containing some sort of residue, according to reports.

Hartzell and Nungester, both of Circleville, denied ownership of the items. The two told police they picked someone up in Circleville who allegedly left the items in the truck.

Nungester was charged with possession of chemicals. Hartzell was charged with possession of chemicals, drug instrument and drug paraphernalia and was cited for various traffic violations.