Nine arrested during search of Sidney apartment following drug investigation

SIDNEY, Ohio (WKEF) -- Police have arrested nine people following the search of a Sidney apartment Friday morning.

The Sidney Police Department says that the warrant was derived, in part, from information by concerned citizens.

Police say the Sidney-Piqua Tactical Response Team executed a narcotics search warrant about 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at 1129 Hilltop Ave., Apt. C in Sidney. They say there were "elevated risk factors" when considering the search.

Police say they found suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and two handguns in the apartment. Eleven people were in the apartment at the time of the search. Nine were arrested on various drug-related charges and active warrants.

Those arrested were:

• Tabitha Keller, 23, whose address was listed as the apartment that was searched, is charged with one Weapons Under Disability, Possession of Drugs, and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Fredrick Hilyard, 32, address at large, is charged with Possession of Drugs, Possession of Criminal Tools and a felony warrant.
• Lisa Melick, 41, address at large, is charged with Possession of Drugs, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Trafficking in Drugs.
• Jerry Cool, 36, address at large, is charged with Weapons Under Disability, Possessing a Defaced Firearm, a felony warrant and misdemeanor warrant.
• Candice Smith, 21, address at large, is charged with Tampering with Evidence, Obstructing Justice, Possession of Drugs, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Misdemeanor Warrants.
• Arthur Adkins, 25, address at large, is charged with Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Drugs, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Obstructing Justice.
• Donald Behm, 38, address at large, misdemeanor warrant.
• Byron Sims, 32, address at large, is charged with Possession of Drugs and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Sean Balensiefer, 44, address at large, is charged with Possession of Drugs and Possession of Criminal Tools.

Sidney residents are asked to call police with any information about drug activity: Sidney Police Department at 937-498-8777, Crime Stoppers at 937-492-8477 (TIPS) or the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 937-498-1111.