Police call mobile meth lab bust their biggest ever

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Steven Hardy, 42, of Elkhart was arrested on Monday, March 2, 2009, in connection with a mobile methamphetamine lab. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 2, 2009 at 4:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 3, 2009 at 11:47 PM EST

ELKHART — It's a new record for Elkhart police. Monday morning, they busted what they're calling their biggest mobile meth lab ever.

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Officers arrested 42-year-old Steven Charles Hardy in connection with the mobile meth lab.

Ironically, it started as a routine traffic stop for speeding.

For witnesses, it was the quite the scene early Monday morning near the intersection of Old U.S. 20 and County Line Road.

“I looked outside and there was a whole bunch of cops across the street and I found out a little later that there was a meth lab in a mobile van,” said Lashea Nicely, who was working nearby at the time.

Police pulled over the van about 2:30 a.m. for speeding and driving erratically.

“After he gets him out he sees several things in the back — it’s a van — sees several things that appear to be a working meth lab,” explained Elkhart Police Lt. Ed Windbigler.

And what police found was much more than just a lab.

“There were actually three working pots in the back of this van — one that was actually finished, several precursors, several chemicals, very volatile,” Windbigler continued.

Police and fire officials say the fact that this van had so many labs inside, along with those ingredients, made it a rolling recipe for disaster.

In recent months, Elkhart has had several meth lab explosions in homes.

“There is no difference than it exploding in a vehicle than there is in a house,” Windbigler added. “And a person with a vehicle, it could be in your neighborhood.”

“There are a lot of volatile chemicals involved; even people that know what they're doing are having explosions,” said Kent Stouder, Fire Department Investigator. “You could be parked right next to that vehicle.”

Steven Hardy, the driver of the van, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine and felony fleeing.

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