Tribune staff reports

An attempt to serve a warrant on a North Vernon man Wednesday led to his arrest on new charges and the arrests of two others, police report.

The incident began when Indiana State Police troopers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Jeremiah J. Anderson, 33, at a residence on Country Manor Boulevard in Country Squire Lakes, according to a news release from Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the Indiana State Police Post at Versailles.

Troopers reported finding Anderson and another man, Vern E. Purtlebaugh, 33, of Columbus, hiding in a crawl space under the residence. Police arrested those two along with Bryttany W. Wooten, 33, of North Vernon on charges of counterfeiting, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Trooper Rick Hewitt then obtained a search warrant, and during a search of the residence troopers reported finding methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit money and printers and copiers used for the production of counterfeit money.

Purtlebaugh also faces a charge of visiting a common nuisance, while Anderson was arrested on an additional charge of maintaining a common nuisance and the original warrant for residential entry. Wooten also was charged with harboring a fugitive and maintaining a common nuisance.

The counterfeiting charges stem from reports Purtlebaugh and Anderson had passed counterfeit money to a taxi driver that had given the men a ride, police said.

All three were booked into the Jennings County Jail, where they were being held pending initial hearings.