Man arrested with walking meth lab

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A happenstance stop by a Stoddard County Sheriff's Deputy Monday resulted in the seizure of a walking methamphetamine lab.

According to Sheriff Carl Hefner, Deputy Keith Haynes was travelling west on State Hwy. 114 when he noticed a white male looking over the side of a railing and acting strange. Haynes then drove around and attempted to make contact with the subject who was standing on the other side of the railing and walking down a steep grade.

At that time, the subject came back up and agreed to speak to Haynes, who noticed a syringe in the subject's shirt pocket. He was also carrying a black nylon bag with a shoulder strap attached.

The subject identified himself as Richard Cullum.

Richard Cullum

Haynes then asked Cullum to step in front of his vehicle and out of the way of traffic, at which time he reportedly responded, "No, I'm running." Cullum then ran and was captured shortly after. Haynes allegedly located a syringe and spoon on him. After he was apprehended, Haynes searched the bag and discovered a shake and bake methamphetamine lab along with chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Cullum, 39, of Dexter, was arrested and charged with the Class B felony of attempt to manufacture or produce a controlled substance. His bond was set at $50,000 cash only.

He is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Joe Z. Satterfield Thursday morning, March 29.