Man arrested on theft, drug charges

PRINCETON —  Robert  E. Noble, 47,  of Manhattan, Ill., was arrested by local authorities on drug and theft charges on Oct. 15.

The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team arrested Noble on charges of vehicle theft and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, following a traffic stop near Princeton.

Noble’s arrest was the result of an operation conducted by TRI-DENT along with local K-9 handlers and agencies from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

According to a TRI-DENT press release, a suspicious vehicle was observed in the Interstate 80 eastbound rest area near Princeton. A license plate check of the vehicle determined it was stolen. The vehicle was approached, and Noble was placed under arrest.

During the search of the vehicle, crack cocaine and a crack pipe were found.