A Seymour Police Department officer responding to a shoplifting report at a local store wound up arresting two people on drug charges.

James M. Byers, 37, of Louisville, Kentucky, initially was arrested on a charge of theft after police said he stole a knife from Walmart in Seymour about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to a report by Officer Ben Miller.

Miller reported he found marijuana on Byers while making the arrest. Based on the circumstances, that led to Seymour Cpl. Adam Surface doing an exterior sweep of Byers’ vehicle with his K-9, Ace.

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Ace became alert and indicated the odor of illegal narcotics, police said.

The officers then obtained a search warrant from Jackson Superior Court I Judge Bruce Markel to search the vehicle.

During the search, officers found about 90 grams of crystal methamphetamine, different types of prescription pills and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Jessica D. Livers, 33, of Louisville, was with Byers at the time. Officers also found drugs on her, police said.

Byers was arrested on charges of theft, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of marijuana. He also was wanted on a parole warrant out of Kentucky.

Livers faces charges of dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia and false informing.

Byers’ intent to deliver charge and Livers’ dealing methamphetamine charge are related to individual bags or packages of drugs intended to be sold that were found in the vehicle, police said.

Livers’ false informing charge comes from her giving a false name or information during the investigation, police said.

Both Byers and Livers were being held in the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown without bond.

On the jail arrest log, Byers’ birthplace is listed as Seymour. Police said he had a previous address of Bent Tree Lane, which is on the far east side of the city.