Published: October 14, 2008 08:34 am      

Off-duty RPD cop foils separate drug deals; 2 arrested

A drug dealer approached the wrong target when he allegedly attempted to sell drugs early Sunday morning to an off-duty Richmond city police officer.

Curtis Halcomb, 21, of Gilbert Drive was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance not in a proper container, third-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession drug paraphernalia.

The arrest allegedly stemmed from an encounter Halcomb had with an off-duty policeman around 1:30 a.m. outside of T. Bombadil’s Bar on North First Street.

“Halcomb approached the off-duty officer and offered to sell him a controlled substance,” Sgt. Willard Reardon said. “The off-duty officer contacted on-duty police units who approached Halcomb to investigate.”

Halcomb allegedly tried to conceal a pill bottle when approached, but it fell to the sidewalk as he was being searched by police. The bottle contained a combination of prescription drugs, including Soma, Ultram and Suboxone.

After being booked into custody in the Madison County Detention Center, Halcomb was charged with additional counts of first-degree promoting contraband, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence and second-degree drug paraphernalia.

Halcomb remains under custody in lieu of $3,500 bond.

In the same area at approximately the same time, the off-duty officer also observed two males exchange a small baggie of suspected drugs, Reardon said.

Uniformed officers on the scene were able to confront one of the suspects, later identified as Blake A. Hymer, 22, of Jason Drive, who was arrested for alcohol intoxication.

While Hymer was being transported to the jail, a search of his person allegedly revealed a small plastic baggie containing one Lortab and one Valium tablet, Reardon said.

Hymer was then charged with additional counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance not in a proper container.

Hymer was released on $500 unsecured cash bond.

Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.