A traffic stop Wednesday night by Indiana State Police Trooper Chad Babbs led to the arrest of Tyler W. Byerline, 29, Peru. Byerline was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face criminal charges for possession of cocaine, dealing marijuana, obstruction of justice, and driving with a suspended operator’s license with a prior conviction.
At approximately 9:28 p.m., Trooper Babbs initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Dodge Durango traveling southbound on U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 1000 North. The Durango was stopped for unsafe lane movement as it allegedly was unable to maintain its lane and would periodically drive onto the shoulder of the road. As the Durango was pulling over for the trooper, the driver later identified as Byerline, purportedly threw an object out the vehicle’s window into the west ditch. Trooper Babbs was able to retrieve the object, which was a plastic baggy containing approximately nine grams of suspected cocaine.
Troopers David Kewish and Dakota Anderson arrived at the traffic stop to assist Babbs. During a subsequent search of the Dodge, troopers allegedly found marijuana, marijuana edibles, 23 THC smoking cartridges, and approximately $1,000 in United States currency. Further investigation revealed that Byerline was driving with a suspended operator’s license after having a prior conviction for driving with a suspended license.
Hoosiers are encouraged to report suspected illegal drug activity by calling their local law enforcement agencies or the Indiana State Police. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Marijuana Tip Line at 1-888-873-1694.