Two arrested on felony drug charges following suspicious vehicle report Thursday

Two St. Joseph County individuals are facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a report of a suspicious vehicle led to a K9 drug bust on Thursday night.

According to a news release from Deputy Ash of the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 8100 block of Rose Road at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, to investigate a complaint regarding a suspicious vehicle.

During the investigation, Marshall County K9 Bear was deployed to conduct an open-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. After the K9 alerted to the presence of a narcotic odor, deputies conducted a probable cause search. The search resulted in the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia.

The occupants of the vehicle were identified as 39-year-old Brian R. Schafer of Lakeville and 28-year-old Emily A. Bryce of South Bend. Both were arrested at the scene and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Schafer and Bryce were booked and lodged on identical preliminary charges, which include: Possession of Methamphetamine as a Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe or Needle as a Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V Controlled Substance as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Trespass as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief as a Class B Misdemeanor, and Possession of Paraphernalia as a Class C Misdemeanor.

Both suspects were assigned court dates and held on $2,000 cash bonds.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.