On Tuesday, Dec. 18, officers from the Columbus Police Department responded to the Polk County Library for a suspicious persons call.

Officers located Joshua Oren Hardin, 30, of Tryon asleep inside the library.

During the course of the encounter, officers found Hardin to be in  possession of methamphetamine.  Hardin was arrested and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hardin’s first court appearance was set for Dec. 19. Hardin was held on a $2,000 secured bond.

On Friday, Dec. 7, officers from the Columbus Police Department responded to Macon Bank for a suspicious persons call.

During the course of the investigation, officers arrested David Edward Melton, 20, of Saluda. Melton was charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, felony conspiracy to sell marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melton was released after posting a $4,000 secured bond and has a next court date of Jan. 23, 2013.  Also arrested during the investigation was Andrew Benjamin Hamilton, 22, of Columbus. Hamilton was charged with driving while license revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hamilton was released after posting a $300 secured bond and has a court date set for Feb. 20.

– article submitted by Columbus Police Department