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Man calls police for help; they find pot-growing operation instead

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By Staff Reports Updated 12:38 AM Sunday, September 27, 2009

Springfield police officers reported finding 43 marijuana plants growing in the basement of 1417 W. Clark St. after being called there about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on a complaint of a broken windshield.

Joseph P. Hawke, 36, of 1417 W. Clark St., was arrested on charges of endangering children, possession of drug paraphernalia, possessing drug abuse instruments, illegal manufacture/cultivation of drugs, possession of criminal tools and trafficking in drugs, according to police.

John V. Redmon, age and address unlisted, was charged with trafficking in drugs and illegal manufacture/cultivation of drugs, police said.

Both men were taken to the Clark County Jail and a warrant was requested for a woman who reportedly also lived in the house with her 6-year-old daughter.

Police were called to the house on a report of someone throwing a rock at the woman’s windshield and breaking it. When they arrived, officers smelled a strong odor of fresh marijuana, and Hawke said he had a bag of it inside, police said.

The woman, who had gone to the store, returned to the house with her daughter, and the officers searched the house, finding drugs and paraphernalia in a bedroom, reports said.

The woman fled, and while searching for her, officers found a locked door at the back of the house for which Hawke gave officers the key, police said. The door led to the basement, where officers reported finding 43 marijuana plants, growing lights, timers, a ventilation system and electronic ballasts, reports said.

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