Crime Stoppers tip leads to Dayton drug bust, arrest

DAYTON — Police officers investigating a drug tip reported to Crime Stoppers arrested a man and seized a large quantity of suspected narcotics.

Dayton police responded around 12:40 p.m. Thursday to a home in the 300 block of Royal Street. A Crime Stoppers complaint that the resident, identified as 53-year-old Luther W. Harris, sold illegal drugs out of his home and vehicles, according to a Dayton police report.

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When police arrived, Harris opened the door and agreed to speak inside with them about the drug complaint. He also signed a “consent to search” form to allow the officers to walk around his home for any drugs in play view, the report stated.

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Inside one bedroom, an officer spotted a clear plastic baggie with a white substance of suspected cocaine on a nightstand. Another baggie was found underneath the television, and under the bed on the floor next to the nightstand was a .40 caliber handgun with 10 live rounds in the magazine. There also was a safe next to the nightstand where the suspected cocaine was found, according to the report.

Harris was placed under arrest.

Officers were able to obtain a search warrant, and seized money, a cellphone, a handgun, a rifle and large quantities of suspected drugs.

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Harris was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on suspicion of trafficking in drugs, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and having weapons under disability for a prior conviction, all felony charges. He is due Monday afternoon in Dayton Municipal Court.

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