Elmhurst Police Provide Followup Information to March 8 Drug Bust

Elmhurst police have provided followup information to a report we ran on Friday, March 11, about several drug arrests:

Elmhurst police have concluded a drug investigation resulting in the arrest of several individuals for growing cannabis plants and possession of drug paraphernalia within their residence at 642 Babcock St. At the time of the arrest, several other individuals were in the residence, and some of them also were arrested for possession of cannabis.

During a search of the residence, police found two cannabis “grow operations” in bedrooms of the home. This indoor cultivation process yielded cannabis plants at several stages of growth, anywhere from seed germination to actively growing plants. These operations usually range from basic to very sophisticated and are aided by homemade light and irrigation sources within confined spaces such as closets. Over a long period of time, this can result in damage to the interior of the home as well as create air quality and safe living condition issues.

The following residents of the Babcock address were charged as follows:

• Jason W. Assaf, 20: felony unlawful production of cannabis plants, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Assaf was transported to DuPage County Jail to await bond.
• Luke J. Froehlich, 20: misdemeanor unlawful production of cannabis plants and possession of drug paraphernalia. Froehlich was released on bond pending a court appearance.

• Melissa Peterson, 20: possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia and released on bond pending a court appearance.

Cited for possession of cannabis and released at the scene pending a court appearance were Melissa M. Wilkins, 19, of 273 S. Kenilworth Ave., Elmhurst, and Shay T. Wagner, 20, of 260 Boyd Ave., Elmhurst.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor of this Patch site and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.