After gunfire, police say they found drugs
FAIRVIEW TWP — State police allegedly stumbled upon a suspected marijuana growing operation inside a trailer home where troopers were called Monday afternoon for reported gunfire.
Police ended up arresting two men and seizing nearly three dozen marijuana plants about two-and-a-half-feet tall during the investigation at the home on Redbud Road, documents said.
The homeowner, William R. Ringler, 47, and Seth A. Wike, 34, of Butler, are both facing felony and other charges.
Police said the trouble apparently started after Ringler invited Wike's 32-year-old girlfriend over for a visit. The woman had Wike's cell phone with her.
When Wike checked the phone's location, according to charging documents, he found it was at Ringler's home. He drove there with his two children, ages 8 and 9.
He spotted his red car at the home, police said, presumably that his girlfriend had driven. He banged on the side of Ringler's home, but got no answer.
Wike then allegedly fired a .410-caliber shotgun shell from a Taurus Judge revolver into the ground near the home's door. No one was injured.
Police noted that Wike has a valid carry permit for the handgun. He told troopers that he took it with him for protection.Wike said his girlfriend opened the door and he took his cell phone and keys to the car from the woman, police said. He called 911 and eventually drove home, where troopers found him.Police responding to Ringler's home reported smelling a “strong odor” of marijuana. They also allegedly noticed what appeared to be marijuana plants, grow lamps and a ventilation pipe in the trailer.The patrol officers notified the police vice unit, which obtained and executed a search warrant.Seized in the search, documents said, were 33 marijuana plants, multiple grow lights, fans ventilation and water equipment.Under a mattress in the bedroom, police said, were 10 small plastic bags each containing 20 pills of the suspected prescription drug Xanax — the brand name for alprazolam that is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety.The bags were labeled $100.During the search, police found 28 additional Xanax pills contained in two plastic bags and 14 partial Xanax pills in a pill bottle, documents said.Also allegedly seized were 12 suspected amphetamine pills in two pill bottles and $400 in currency.District Judge Bill O'Donnell arraigned Wike on felony charges of aggravated assault and child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of terroristic threats. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.O'Donnell arraigned Ringler on two felony counts and four misdemeanor counts of drug possession and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $25,000 bail following arraignment.
