Circleville, OH — On April 14, 2024, Circleville police conducted a well-being check at 160 Lancaster Pike following reports of a man nodding in and out of consciousness in a parked vehicle. Officers arrived to find a black four-door Ford Focus with a male slumped over in the driver’s seat.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers discovered a used glass drug pipe with white residue on the man’s lap, along with various baggies and foil. The man, later identified as 36-year-old Robert Nungester III, woke up as officers attempted to engage him. Initially uncooperative, he eventually complied with police instructions to lean back and step out of the vehicle, leaving the narcotics in plain view.
Nungester was searched for weapons, revealing a knife, foil with an unknown substance, marijuana, and his wallet. Despite being evaluated by Circleville EMS, he declined medical treatment. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a glass drug pipe, multiple strips of burnt foil, and over 50 grams of suspected illegal narcotics in individual baggies. Additional empty baggies were found throughout the vehicle.
Nungester was arrested and charged with possession and trafficking of drugs. He claimed the narcotics did not belong to him, stating he had been meeting a female acquaintance, identified as Christina Herron, to exchange laundry services and transportion for narcotics.
During the investigation, police reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby Dollar General, which captured Herron arriving and interacting with Nungester before entering the store. Dollar General Staff advised Christina would enter and leave the store checking to see if law enforcement was still present but eventually left. Despite attempts to locate her, officers were unable to find her at the scene.
Nungester was initially taken to the Pickaway County Jail, but due to his condition, he was transported to Berger Hospital for evaluation. Later, officers resumed their investigation, seizing the recovered narcotics for testing.
The case has been forwarded
Authorities continue to stress the dangers of drug use and the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious activities. The Circleville Police Department urges anyone with information about drug-related incidents to come forward.
