Man charged for operating Des Plaines meth lab

A 26-year-old Des Plaines man faces multiple counts of manufacturing methamphetamine in his basement after police Wednesday removed what they described as “suspicious items” from his home.

Matthew A. Weber-Mixon, of the 300 block of Oxford Road, is charged with four counts each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and using the property to produce the drug, Des Plaines police officials said.

Weber-Mixon appeared at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie Thursday morning where his bond was set at $40,000 by Judge Larry Axelrood. He is being held at the Cook County jail pending bail.

Des Plaines police, firefighters and crews dressed in hazardous materials suits worked overnight Tuesday and early morning Wednesday collecting items from the basement of the home where Weber-Mixon lived.

A Level 3 hazmat situation was called to the home at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday after officers discovered the items as part of an investigation, according to a Des Plaines police news release.

Police officials said the chemicals and suspicious items removed from the home have since been disposed safely. Officials said there was never any immediate danger to the public.

A knock on the house’s door went unanswered Wednesday and a red sticker initially placed on the house marking it as a suspected meth lab has since been removed.

Neighbors said they became aware of a major police and fire presence on their street during the middle of the night, but received no explanation from officials.

Norm Nanstiel, who lives directly across the street from the house, said he didn’t speak with the people who lived there often, but wasn’t aware of the residents having problems with neighbors.

Weber-Mixon’s next court date was not immediately available Thursday, said Andy Conklin, spokesman for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.