3 Campbell cops decontaminated after finding mobile meth lab

November 23, 2013 at 4:12p.m.

Staff report

CAMPBELL

Three Campbell patrol officers were decontaminated at the scene and then taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center after finding a mobile meth lab in the trunk of a car they pulled over on Reed Street this morning.

Fumes from the plastic containers with the crystal meth amphetamine in them gave off fumes that knocked Patroman Robert Curtis to the ground and caused esophagal burns to each officer, but all were released from the hospital and are not expected to have any long-term ill effects, said Drew Rauzan, Campbell police chief.

The lab was found during a traffic stop at Reed and 12th Street at 11:30 a.m. The department’s police dog, Storm, indicated there were narcotics in the vehicle, causing officers to check the trunk.

The two people in the car, Jean A. Hartzell, 36, of Pittsburgh, and Jeremy T. Bower, 30, of Peace Valle Road in Rogers, were decontaminated also and taken to St. Elizabeth’s.

Police will take them into custody when they are released, and they face several drug-related charges.

The Mahoning County Haz-Mat team, Campbell Fire Department and St. Elizabeth Health Center Mobile Unit responded to the scene.