Shoplifting leads police to meth lab

What started Monday afternoon as a case of tracking down a shoplifter in Elizabethtown turned into much more in Eastview.

MEANS

HATCHER

A meth lab was discovered buried in mud.

“I’ve seen them everywhere,’’ said Detective Rob Green with the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force. “I’ve just never seen one buried in the mud from someone who was on the run.’’

Police say Michael Means, 33, and Lisa Hatcher, 39, were at Kroger on Towne Drive on Monday afternoon and each purchased a packet of pseudoephedrine pills. Means, police say, was thought to have shoplifted a drink and candy bar.

Police say Means left the store but after police were supplied with their vehicle’s license plate number, he and Hatcher were tracked  to Web Mill Road in Eastview.

Green drove to lots where Means and Hatcher lived, found a car with a license plate that closely matched the one police had received, and called for assistance.

After a lengthy search, police found items consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine, such as drain cleaner, spoons, needles and pills.

Green also put on a chemical suit, searched the area and found a meth lab buried under the ground under a trailer, he said.

Means is charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, four counts of wanton endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.

Hatcher is charged with manufacturing meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and police say she also was in possession of ten hydrocodone pills.

“It’s basically a shoplifting case gone bad,’’ Green said.

Both are jailed on $75,000 cash bonds or $150,000 property bonds.

Kentucky State Police, Elizabethtown police and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.

Jeff D’Alessio can be reached at (270) 505-1757 or jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com.