Chesapeake, Va. – An investigation into a fraud case in Isle of Wight led to a discovery of a suspected meth lab in Chesapeake.
“You never know what you are getting into in any investigation,” said IOW Sheriff’s Department spokesman, Lt. Tommy Potter. “That’s why you have to go into these things with your eyes wide open.”
On Friday morning, Chesapeake police assisted the Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office in searching a home in the 2600 block of Meadows Landing in regards to an identity theft and fraud case.
During the search, authorities found the suspect in the identity then, 28-year-old Earnest M. Brock, hiding in a closed upstairs with a child.
“He admitted he saw police at his door and was refusing to come to his door,” Lt. Potter said. “While they were clearing the residence, Mr. Brock and a juvenile were found in an upstairs bedroom closet.”
Inside, Isle of Wight detectives also noticed items consistent with meth use. They questioned Brock about it and that’s when detectives say he admitted he had a meth lab in his shed in the back yard.
“Investigators noticed things within the house, there were some things that were clearly in view,” Lt. Potter added. “They asked him about it and he told them that he was involved in manufacturing meth so Chesapeake detectives got a search warrant for the outside to include the shed.”
Potter says detectives found in excess of 20 pots for manufacturing meth inside the shed.
“Whether they are old pots, whether they are getting ready to cook, they are all potentially hazardous and dangerous to those around him.” Lt. Potter said.
Brock was arrested on 13 charges: 7 misdemeanor charges related to identity theft and six felony charges in related to credit card fraud and obtaining money by false pretense. Chesapeake narcotic charges are pending. Virginia State Police helped clean up the scene and there were no injuries.
Brock is currently being held in jail in Suffolk and refused to give NewsChannel 3 an interview from jail. However, NewsChannel 3 did catch up with his sister outside of his house on Monday who didn’t say much other than the whole situation is “sad”.
