[StBernard] Chalmette man booked with pill distribution, possession of stolen countertops and cabinets

[Westley Annis]

Chalmette man booked with pill distribution, possession of stolen
countertops and cabinets
By The Times-Picayune 
April 07, 2010, 4:10PM

A Chalmette man has been booked with possession with intent to distribute
pills and possession of $20,000 in stolen cabinets, countertops and other
items he intended to use to refurbish a house in Arabi, authorities said.

Paul Metzler, 50, who lives on Trio Street, remained in St. Bernard Parish
Prison Wednesday in lieu of $40,000 bond, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's
Office said. 

He was booked Tuesday with possession with intent to distribute more than 50
tablets each of the drugs Xanax and Soma after a traffic stop. The Sheriff's
Office said further investigation led to a home he owns in the 400 block of
Mink Street in Arabi, in which $20,000 in stolen property was found,
including $16,000 worth of cabinets and countertops.

The Sheriff's Office said some of the items had been reported stolen in a
recent burglary in eastern St. Bernard. Also found was a 2.5-ton
air-conditioner. Authorities do not know where the air conditioner came
from, but suspect it was also stolen.

Metzler said he bought the property even though he knew it was stolen. He
said he planned to use it to refurnish the house in Arabi.

Detectives are investigating where Metzler bought the stolen property.