PANAMA CITY BEACH — Two local men were arrested and methamphetamine, firearms and cash was confiscated at the conclusion of a narcotics investigation, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.
While conducting an investigation, a traffic stop was done on a motorcycle ridden by Richard Barner. Barner was found to have a suspended driver’s license and in possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamine in ice form, BCSO said.
Narcotics investigators then began surveillance on a hotel room connected to Barner and observed a man identified as Kacy Van Patten approaching the hotel room. Van Patten was dressed in black clothing and wore black latex gloves on his hands. As investigators approached Van Patten, he fled on foot, but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
Van Patten wore a long Bowie-style knife attached to his side and had a .380 cal. handgun in his pocket.
A search warrant was executed on the hotel room and at 5710 Pinetree Ave. As a result, $6,000, a handgun, two assault rifles and about 6 ounces of methamphetamine in ice form were seized.
Barner, 27, 5710 Pinetree Ave., was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. Van Patten, 21, a transient, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, carrying a concealed firearm, resisting an officer and possession of marijuana.