An observant officer with the Brewton Police Department is responsible for capturing a fugitive wanted in Florida on probation violation charges.
Gary Edelstein Jr., 20, of Ponce DeLeon, Fla., was arrested Wednesday after officers recognized the suspect in the passenger seat of a vehicle traveling on Douglas Avenue.
Sgt. Bryan Davis with the Brewton Narcotics Division said Officer Troy Hart performed a traffic stop on the suspected vehicle and was able to take Edelstein into custody without incident.
“During our investigation, agents learned that Edelstein was possibly manufacturing methamphetamines in the Brewton area,” Davis said. “Our investigation led us to an apartment complex in East Brewton.”
Davis said officers were able to locate personal items belonging to Edelstein at the residence along with those of his girlfriend.
“Agents located Edelstein’s girlfriend at the complex along with her belongs,” Davis said.
Davis said the occupant of the residence was unaware of Edelstein’s past or current involvement with illegal activities. No charges were brought against the resident.
Zabbrina Cook, 28, also of Ponce DeLeon, Fla., was arrested as a result of findings at the residence, Davis said.
Evidence recovered at the East Brewton apartment included methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia and evidence consistent with manufacturing of methamphetamines, Davis said.
“Both subjects were charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the second degree,” Davis said. “They were also charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Edelstein and Cook were transported to the Escambia County Detention Center to be booked on the charges against them.
Edelstein was wanted by Walton County, Fla., law enforcement agents in connection with a probation violation on a second-degree arson charge and probation violation of a charge of robbery of a residence with a firearm.
No information on bond was available as of Thursday.