One man faces numerous charges following a vehicle fire near Summit Saturday morning. According to the Roberts County Sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a vehicle fire around 5:50 a.m. Saturday morning. Upon arrival the vehicle was entirely engulfed by flames, though the occupant identified as Robert Heitland, was able to escape. According to police officers performed a field sobriety test on Heitland and determined he was intoxicated. They also discovered marijuana on his person. Heitland was charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and driving without a license.
From The Roberts County Sheriff’s Department:
At approximately 5:50am one of our Deputies was dispatched to a vehicle on fire on 144th St near Summit. The lone occupant of the vehicle was able to escape and was unharmed before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
The responding Deputy spoke with the driver, Ronald Heitland, and made observations leading him to believe he was impaired. The Deputy conducted field sobriety tests and arrested Heitland at the conclusion. Heitland had been consuming alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Also located on Heitland’s person during a search was marijuana, hydrocodone, and over $1,006.00.
Heitland was charged with the following by the Deputy: DUI 3rd (drugs and alcohol), possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone), possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in license plates (substitute plates), no insurance, and driving without a driver’s license.
Earlier in the morning, at approximately 1:13am another Deputy had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on 138th St near Lohre Rd. The Deputy identified the two passengers of the vehicle, Jameson Shepherd and Sylas Shepherd, as individuals on parole. Both had opened alcoholic beverages inside of the vehicle.
Sylas Shepherd was arrested for violating parole and resisted arrest. The Deputy had to assist Shepherd into handcuffs after a struggle had ensued.
Jameson Shepherd was arrested for violating parole. A later search of Jameson’s jacket revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
S. Shepherd was charged with the following by the Deputy: Resisting arrest, obstruction, and open container in a motor vehicle.
J. Shepherd was charged with the following by the Deputy: Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), ingestion of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container in a motor vehicle.
If you use, distribute, or possess illegal drugs in our county, expect to meet our law enforcement. Illegal drugs in our county WILL NOT be tolerated. Our drug enforcement efforts will continue to be vigorous.
A reminder that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
