A Nappanee man was arrested Friday for dealing a narcotic. Andru Boyd Hicks, 42, of 609 Short St., Nappanee, was arrested at 12:15 p.m. Friday following an investigation and a purchase by a confidential informant. His bond was set at $26,250. According to a probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 25, an officer from Warsaw Police Department met with a confidential informant who had arranged to purchase a little less than one gram of heroin from Hicks in exchange for $130. The purchase was to occur at Taco Bell. The officer searched the informant and informant’s vehicle for any drugs or contraband but found none. The officer attached an audio recorder/transmitter on the informant’s person to monitor any and conversation they might have. The officer provided the informant with $130. The informant received a phone call from Katrina Shumaker-Vanness who advised the informant to go to Taco Bell to make the transaction. The informant advised Hicks would be driving a blue SUV. Officers followed the informant to Taco Bell and awaited the arrival of Hicks. Officers observed the blue SUV with Hicks driving and Shumaker-Vanness as passenger parked next to the informant. Officers observed the informant walk up to the driver’s side door of the blue SUV and speak with Hicks. Officers could hear the informant state “Here is $130” and Hicks state “Here is that one.” The informant then left the area. A Warsaw Police Department officer met with the informant who provided the officer a glove finger that contained a brownish powder substance. The informant confirmed to police that Hicks was the driver of the vehicle and had provided the heroin in exchange for $130. The informant also confirmed that Shumaker-Vanness was the passenger in the vehicle. The officer field tested the brownish powdery substance, which weighed less than one gram, and it tested positive for heroin. The officer requested another officer conduct a traffic stop on Hicks’ blue SUV, which occurred in the Kohl’s parking lot. The other officer arrived and identified the driver as Hicks and the passenger as Shumaker-Vanness. Officers spoke with Hicks, who admitted he just sold heroin to the informant and the money was in his back pocket. Officers removed $130 from Hicks’ back pocket and confirmed it was the same money used to purchase the heroin. Hicks told police he was selling up to 10 ounces of heroin and 10 ounces of methamphetamine a week. He advised he has been selling heroin and meth for approximately two months. Hicks admitted he was a member of the Gangster Disciples gang and his drug supplier was a member too. Hicks further advised Robert Slone is holding his drugs at his residence. Hicks contacted Slone and arranged for Slone to bring the drugs to a local church. Officers observed Hicks met with Slone, who delivered a bodybuilder zipper pouch to Hicks. Officers met with Hicks and obtained the zipper pouch that contained a brownish substance that field tested positive for heroin and weighed 24.5 grams and a white crystal substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 2.7 grams. Hicks advised Slone told him the heroin was strong and it was making other people and him vomit. Slone was arrested Jan. 13 for dealing and possession of a narcotic drug and possession of meth. No charges have been filed at this time against Shumaker-Vanness.
