Feb 12, 2015 2 min read

A Charleroi man was apprehended on charges he stored nearly $10,000 worth of crack in an apartment he shared with the mother of his children, who also was arrested in the case.

James Thomas Novak, 27, of 706 Meadow Ave., was arrested Tuesday on a warrant obtained by Charleroi Regional police, who discovered the drugs Dec. 14 while investigating a complaint about a dog having been left there alone for four days, court records state.

Lindsay D. Redlinger, 25, of the same address, is free on $50,000 bond after she turned herself into authorities Feb. 5 to face charges in the case.

Police said their apartment was unlocked when they went there and heard a dog inside whimpering.

Police opened the door and then applied for a warrant to search the residence after noticing a marijuana smoking bong in the living room.

An officer later found 381 grams of crack in plastic bags inside a backpack that was in a drop ceiling in the kitchen.

A stolen handgun was found hidden under a bedroom mattress and ammunition for the weapon was found scattered about the apartment.

Police were able to identify the suspects after finding their names listed on a receipt for school portraits of their children.

Novak was charged as a felon prohibited from having a firearm, drug possession with intent to deliver, drug possession, receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was sent to Washington County jail on $100,000 bond set by District Judge James Ellis.

He also was being held on charges of illegal possession of a weapon, drug possession and theft stemming from warrants filed in other counties, jail records indicate.

Redlinger was charged with drug possession with intent to deliver, drug possession, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.