By Lori Ehde
Acting on tips from a resident and a merchant, Rock County deputies arrested another man suspected of operating a meth lab.
It's the fourth meth lab arrest in Rock County in just over a month.
On Tuesday night, deputies executed a search warrant in the home of 42-year-old David Kelderman on 506 E. Warren St. in Luverne.
They had been investigating possible methamphetamine production in KeldermanÕs home for a few weeks on tips from a local merchant.
The merchant had been calling the Sheriff's Department to report that Kelderman was frequently buying large amounts pseudoephedrine (in the form of the decongestant Suphedrine).
According to the County Attorney's Office, the additional tip from the resident prompted the request for a search warrant, which was executed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The resident told law enforcement he'd been in the house Monday night and watched Kelderman manufacture meth in the kitchen sink.
When deputies arrived at his home, Kelderman was outside in the yard, and attempted to flee, discarding a coffee filter containing a substance that appeared to be meth.
Sergeant Mike Winkels tackled him and placed him under arrest.
There were 3.3 grams of methamphetamines in the coffee filter that Kelderman tossed.
When deputies searched Kelderman's home, they found ingredients and paraphernalia used in meth production, and they noted a strong acid odor that's consistent with meth production.
Professional crews were brought in to clear the residence, and Kelderman was taken to the Nobles County Jail in Worthington, where he awaits formal charges.
He is the uncle of 30-year-old Cory Kelderman who was arrested on similar charges July 19 in his Rock County home near Valley Springs, S.D.
Six grams of meth were seized with that search warrant.
On July 25, 42-year-old Kevin Dale Smeins was arrested for possession of 3 grams of meth and large amounts of Suphedrine in his 1992 blue Chevy Baretta.
On July 26, Emergency Entry Team officers searched the rural Hills home of 49-year-old Donald Wilson and seized the makings of a meth lab there.
The Sheriff's Department applauds the residential and commercial tips that led to these arrests and encourages continued cooperation.
People with information on any local crimes can call 283-5000.