From staff reports
An Oil City couple were arrested Monday on several charges related to manufacturing methamphetamine.
A criminal complaint filed through District Judge Andrew Fish’s office said Oil City police were called to a domestic dispute Monday afternoon at a residence in the 700 block of West Front Street where Herbert Brickner, 48, and Patricia Harn, 61, live together.
Outside the residence, police made contact with Harn, who said she and Brickner were involved in a verbal dispute, the complaint said.
Police placed Brickner in handcuffs as a safety precaution and patted him down for weapons, the complaint said.
Police asked what was in the front left pocket of Brickner’s shorts, and Brickner admitted to having two lithium batteries in the pocket, the complaint said.
Police then removed the batteries and performed a safety sweep of the residence, the complaint said.
During the sweep, police observed plastic tubing, coffee filters, a piece of a plastic straw and a cut open cold pack, the complaint said.
Police then escorted Brickner outside the residence and placed him under arrest for the possession of precursors for the manufacturing of methamphetamine, the complaint said.
Police again spoke to Harn, who admitted knowing that Brickner was manufacturing methamphetamine inside the residence, the complaint said.
Harn also admitted seeing Brickner manufacture methamphetamine as well as use it within the last week, the complaint said.
After a search warrant was granted, police found multiple “one pot” methamphetamine labs inside the residence, the complaint said.
Brickner and Harn both face felony counts of conspiracy – manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; possessing phenylpropanolamine or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture; and risking catastrophe.
They were also charged with misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brickner and Harn were arraigned before Fish and placed in the Venango County jail.
Brickner’s bail was set at $150,000. Harn’s bail was set at $25,000.
Preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 2 in Central Court.
