A confidential informant provided police with essential information to arrest Michael Ryan Kneller, 35, of 312 S. Detroit St., Warsaw, for possessing precursors for meth, aiding in a felony and dealing meth. Kneller was apprehended at 5:17 p.m. Sunday. Warsaw Police Department used audio recording and transmitting equipment, unmarked vehicles and the informant to conduct surveillance and then arrest Kneller. According to the probable cause affidavit provided by Kosciusko County Circuit Court, WPD had given the informant audio recording equipment to monitor the interactions between themselves and Kneller. Officers were able to listen to a conversation between the informant and Kneller at the Detroit Street residence where Kneller stated that he needed to get lye, ether and cold packs from Ace Hardware. WPD followed them to Ace Hardware where they purchased lye and cold packs. Officers heard Kneller confirm that he had stolen the ether. Kneller and the informant continued going to local stores to obtain more precursors. When they returned to the residence, Kneller stated that he would compensate the informant well with meth. A WPD officer confronted Kneller, who became agitated and loud at the officer’s presence. After the arrest, officers found more precursors in a vehicle at Kneller’s residence. Kneller was booked into Kosciusko County Jail without bond.
