Process Server Alerts Police of Possible Meth Lab

Police and firefighters were trying to determine Friday evening if a home in a quiet suburban neighborhood was being used to make potentially explosive methamphetamine.

Firefighters were called to the house on Lasalle Avenue near Belsay and Lapeer Roads about 4:30 p.m. after a process server, who was evicting someone at the home, called 911 to report hazardous materials in the basement and in a white cube truck parked in the driveway.

Among the chemicals were anhydrous ammonia and ether, chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine.

"If something were to ignite, we'd have a big explosion," said Deputy Burton Fire Chief Ken Gould.

Note To Criminals: The Ceiling? Not A Good Hangout

If you're going to try to hideout from the police, a closet is good. Under the bed might not be a bad way to go. Maybe even under some blankets in the basement. But note: the ceiling is probably not a good idea.

Especially if it can't support your weight. Getting the picture? Yup.

About 6 p.m. Friday, a civilian process server went to the home to serve Pereyra an eviction notice, police said. The server flagged down police who were in the neighborhood, but Pereyra allegedly ignored their commands to come out of the house, police said.

Fairfax Officers Cleared In Lawsuit

Three Fairfax County police officers did not violate a planning commissioner's civil rights or harm him after a loud confrontation in the Sully district police station two years ago in which the commissioner said he was assaulted, a federal jury in Alexandria ruled yesterday.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before ruling against Ronald W. Koch, 62, on all counts, which included allegations of assault, battery, false arrest, defamation, unnecessary use of force and conspiracy.

Koch has been the Sully District planning commissioner for 22 years and a highly-praised community leader and volunteer. He was acting as a private process server when he walked into the Sully police station July 27, 2005, to serve a subpoena.