Fort Dodge cops chase wanted man, discover meth lab

FORT DODGE – A foot chase of a wanted man led to the discovery of a meth lab in Fort Dodge.

According to Fort Dodge police, on June 4, 2015, at approximately 9:30 AM, Fort Dodge Police Department Patrol Officer Joe Roetman attempted to stop 38-year-old John Joseph Wilson in the 700 block of 1st Ave North in reference to Wilson having an active warrant for his arrest.

Wilson refused to stop for Officer Roetman and fled on foot into an apartment building where the officer gave chase. Wilson attempted to evade the officer by running inside of one of the apartments located at 700 1/2 Central Avenue and refused to come out.

Officers were able to force entry into the apartment where they located Wilson along with multiple other individuals, one being 24-year-old Brandy Lee Zinn, who also had an active arrest warrant tied to the same case Wilson was wanted for.

Through investigations by officers on scene inside the apartment with Wilson and Zinn, a “One-Pot” methamphetamine lab was located within the apartment. Officers evacuated the apartment and applied for a search warrant and then using agents equipped in hazmat suits, decontaminated the apartment and retrieved any hazardous items from within.

After officers were able to ensure the apartment was safe and there were no further safety issues for the other tenants in the building, the apartment complex was reopened to the
public.

Both Wilson and Zinn were arrested on scene and charged with the following offenses:
1) Manufacturing More Than Five Grams of Methamphetamine (B Felony)
2) Conspiracy to Manufacture Less Than Five Grams of Methamphetamine (C Felony)

The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted in this investigation by members of the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Webster County Attorney’s Office.