Alligator, weapons, drugs seized
Posted: Monday, Mar 07, 2005 - 11:22:13 am CST
By Jen Scherer
Daily News staff writer
Piranhas, body armor also confiscated from fortified house
The Beloit police tactical unit busted down the fortified doors of a drug house Saturday in the city's northwest side, seizing drugs, weapons, body armor and an alligator.
The incident occurred at 6:15 a.m. at 1713 Grant St. when Beloit's SWAT team and State Line Area Narcotics Team agents executed a SLANT search warrant at the home.
Five people inside were taken into custody, though three were released without charges. Jose L. Quintero, 23, is tentatively charged with a variety of drug and weapons offenses and Stephanie R. Losching, 18, has been tentatively charged with cocaine possession, Beloit Police Capt. Bill Tyler said.
Tyler said the house was fortified with steel reinforced doors and a surveillance system.
"It didn't appear as anyone was normally living there," Tyler said. "It appeared consistent more of a drug house than actually as a residence."
Quintero, is from Chicago, though he was most recently from Milwaukee. Tyler said he had been staying in the Beloit area for some time and is the one who rents the house.
Tyler said such fortification and surveillance measures are typically taken to protect against theft from other drug offenders and are unusual in Beloit.
"We attribute that partly to the fact that Quintero is not from here," Tyler said. "He may have had some more extensive dealings sort of at a higher end than we typically see around here."
Because of the reinforcements, it took police a few extra seconds to get into the home.
"We were concerned because the primary target had a weapons history," Tyler said. "The fact that they had a surveillance system was concerning. We knew they would be aware of our presence."
Several "distraction devices" were deployed during the execution of the search warrant.
"We had to basically smash down the front doors," Tyler said. "It was quite difficult to gain entry but the unit did gain entry and we were able to secure all the persons in the residence."
Tyler said that when Quintero was arrested, there was ballistic body armor and a semiautomatic handgun nearby.
"Those are items typically found in homes that are your more determined drug houses," Tyler said.
A stun gun was also recovered at the scene, and agents seized a 2001 Lexus SUV and two other vehicles, as well as a quantity of cocaine and marijuana.
In searching the house, agents discovered a 2 foot alligator in a cage in the basement and some piranha which were seized and turned over to the Rock County Humane Society, Tyler said.
Tyler could not say what the purpose of the alligator was.
"It was a snappy little thing though," Tyler said.
He said there will likely be follow up charges from the Humane Society and the police relating to the possession of the alligator.
Tyler expected that Quintero and Losching would appear in court today.
Additional charges may be pending as police continue to investigate.
"We like to see those individuals off the street so we're glad it worked out," Tyler said. "We're pleased with the results and I think many of the neighbors were pleased we were able to take action in the situation."
Tyler said police were not forced to block off the street because the search warrant was executed so early in the morning.
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