Burglary investigation leads to three arrests

Leeann Hoy
Leeann Hoy

Three people were arrested Tuesday on a number of drug-related charges as Columbus police investigated a burglary.

While assisting the Columbus Police Department detective division, Columbus COPS officers saw Leeann M. Hoy, 26, Columbus, leave a hotel in the 100 block of Carr Hill Road.

When Hoy saw officers, she attempted to flee, but was arrested a short time later, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Wesley D. Puckett
Wesley D. Puckett

Officers then located Wesley D. Puckett, 36, Edinburgh and Malerie L. Brachear, 30, Taylorsville, inside a hotel room, where officers saw narcotics and drug paraphernalia, Harris said.

Officers also found what appeared to be stolen property inside the hotel room including electronics and a bank card that belonged to the victim of a December 2016 Columbus burglary, Harris said.

Hoy was arrested on charges of a warrant, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a syringe.

Puckett was arrested on charge of a Brown County warrant, Owen County warrant, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Malerie Brachear
Malerie Brachear

Brachear was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.