An observant North Vernon Police Officer noticed what he called “suspicious activity” and investigated it. That investigation led to the arrests of four people and the recovery of a stolen gun.

A spokesman with the police department says that at about 2 p.m. on Friday, Sgt. Andrew Richmond stopped to investigate suspicious activity around an SUV parked at a gas station on State Street. During his investigation, Richmond reported finding a syringe cap nearby. This led him to deploy his police dog, “Heros”, to sniff around the area. The dog alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from around the SUV. Before officers could start searching the vehicle, one of the occupants, Garrett Peck, 20, of North Vernon, allegedly ran away, on foot. He was quickly captured in the area of Franklin Street and Shull Park.

Officers then searched the SUV and reported finding several syringes and other paraphernalia. Officers also allegedly recovered a loaded, lever-action .22 caliber Henry rifle that had been reported stolen from Switzerland county.

Police say that three adults and one minor were arrested. They are:

Nathan Beeman, 26, of North Vernon; He is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Stolen Property (Class A misdemeanor) and Possession of Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor);

McKee Young, 28, of North Vernon; Facing preliminary charges of Possession of Stolen Property (Class A misdemeanor) and Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony);

Garrett Peck, 20, of North Vernon, He is facing a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement by Fleeing (Class A misdemeanor);

Unidentified 16-year-old female minor: She is facing preliminary charges of Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor).