Three napping suspects had no idea they would wake up to be arrested Tuesday morning. But, when Brewton Police caught the trio sleeping at the wheel, their suspicions ended with the suspects behind bars.
Brian Scott Boyd of Brewton, and Patricia Ann Lambeth and Derick Daines, both of East Brewton were arrested around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday when officers discovered them asleep inside the truck at a downtown traffic light.
Brewton Police Sgt. Andrew Casey said officers approached a white Chevrolet pick-up truck seen sitting stationary at the Mildred Street traffic light.
“The officers said when the approached the truck, they saw all three occupants were asleep,” Casey said. “When there were awakened by the officers, the driver began to accelerate through the light and drove down St. Nicholas Avenue.”
Casey said Boyd then drove onto a grassy area off St. Nicholas Avenue in an apparent attempt to elude officers.
“Once the officers were able to stop the truck, Boyd was placed under arrest,” Casey said. “During that arrest is when officers noticed several items consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamines.”
After the discovery of what was believed to be a portable meth lab,  Lambeth and Daines were detained at that time.
Agents with the Narcotics Division of the Brewton Police Department were dispatched to the scene to assist patrol officers with the safe removal and collection of the items of the suspected meth lab in the vehicle, Casey said.
“Among other items, agents located pseudoephedrine pills, muriatic acid, lithium batteries, camp stove fuel, drain clean and a glass jar containing what is believed to be ether and pseudoephedrine,” Casey said. “Those items are consistent with the production of methamphetamines. The agents also located several meth pipes and three jars of suspected synthetic marijuana.”
Casey said all three suspects were placed under arrested and were transported to the Escambia County Detention Center where they were booked on the charges against them.
Each of the suspects was charged with manufacturing f a controlled substance in the second degree; possession of precursor chemicals; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Boyd is also facing the charge of attempting to elude.
Casey said the Brewton Police Department Narcotics Division commended Brewton Police Officer Stan Pagonis and Sgt. Angela Brown for their role in the discovery of the meth lab and making the initial stop on the subjects.