If a Policeman Answers, Hang Up

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Tex. — A 39-year-old man was arrested after making a drug deal with a police chief who answered the telephone at a home being searched for narcotics, authorities said.

Robert Weatherall was in the Hopkins County Jail on Friday, charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $15,000.

Police Chief Donnie Lewis said he answered the telephone Thursday during a search for narcotics.

“I picked up the phone and the person at the other end identified himself and said he wanted to set up a drug deal,” Lewis said. “I set it up to meet him in Pacific Park.”

Lewis said he had already answered one phone call while police were in the house.

“When the second call came, I just decided to go ahead and talk drugs with this person,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the caller offered to sell him methamphetamines.

“I told him when we arrested him, ‘The next time you set up a narcotics buy, it’s a good idea not to set it up with a police chief,’ ” Lewis said.