Man arrested on drug charge, providing false identification

Columbus police arrested a local man on a warrant and a drug-related charge after officers were sent to the area of Ninth and Sycamore streets about two men fighting.

Officers arrested Nicholas M. Richey, 22, of 1619 Washington St., at 2:40 p.m. Sunday after they located him and identified him as one of the men who was fighting, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Officer Frank Dickman determined that Richey had provided police with a false identity and learned that a warrant was out for his arrest, Harris said. Officers later located what appeared to be synthetic marijuana on Richey during his arrest, Harris said.

Richey was arrested on preliminary charges of felony identity deception, misdemeanor possession of a synthetic drug and the warrant, Harris said.

He is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond, jail officials said.