Police Make Drug Bust After Stolen Car Returned To Rental Agency

NASHVILLE, TN-- Metro Police seized pills, meth and a man wanted in Kentucky after a strange swap of a stolen car at an airport car rental facility, investigators say.

The Nashville International Airport Thrifty Car Rental branch contacted MNPD after two men returned what turned out to be a stolen car and swapped it out for another vehicle, an affidavit alleges.

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Officers stopped Ken Mendiola, who had multiple warrants for his arrest in Paducah, Ky., and Donald Duncan. Police say Mendiola was carrying six "whole pills" plus five broken pieces of diazepam and four grams of what it is believed to be methamphetamine. They asked Duncan if they could search the car and when he allegedly refused, they called in a K9 officer, which alerted on the car.

Police found 30 small baggies, a glass pipe, six needles, 21 grams of meth and burglary tools.

Duncan is charged with possession of meth with intent to sell, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools. Mendiola is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of meth and being a fugitive from justice.

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