Seizure Of Boy’s Marijuana Pipe Leads To His Mother’s Arrest

Spokane police confiscated a marijuana pipe from an 11-year-old boy at Witter Pool, and later arrested his 35-year-old mother for growing pot in her home.

On July 2, police were called to the pool at Mission and Perry where a security officer was holding the boy. He had a marijuana pipe and first told officers he found it nearby, said police spokesman Dick Cottam.

Later, the boy admitted he occasionally smoked pot and that his mother grew marijuana, Cottam said.

Police contacted the boy’s mother, Donna M. Werle of 1414 E. Carlisle, and she gave them permission to search her residence. Police found several pot plants in the house, Cottam said.

Werle said she and her boyfriend grew the pot, and she thought it was “no big deal,” Cottam said.

Police confiscated the plants and other drug-related items. Werle was arrested and booked into jail for manufacturing of a controlled substance. The boy was released into the custody of relatives.

Cops sniff pot

Two men were arrested for growing marijuana after police smelled pot coming from the house.

Officers driving along the 4400 block of Cincinnati on the morning of July 2 smelled marijuana coming from a house at 4407 N. Cincinnati, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

The residents gave police permission to search their property but not inside the house, Cottam said. After obtaining a search warrant, officers discovered more than 60 pot plants inside, Cottam said.

Police arrested Ronald H. Thompson, who lives at the house, for manufacturing a controlled substance, Cottam said.

Police also arrested Rudy J. Thompson, 34, of 217 S. Helena. Police said Rudy Thompson, Ronald’s brother, was drunk and tried to interfere with the investigation. He was booked for obstructing an officer, Cottam said.

Purse snatcher caught

A 16-year-old boy who stole a purse was chased down by two witnesses.

The boy snatched a purse from a 34-year-old woman walking out of the Safeway store at 2501 W. Wellesley Monday morning , police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

The boy ran south after two men chased him from the parking lot. He threw the purse on the north side of Glover Middle School before he was caught, Cottam said.

The men returned the purse to the woman and the boy to police at the store. The boy was booked into juvenile detention for first-degree theft.

, DataTimes