Madison woman arrested after meth pipe reportedly found in Norfolk hotel

NORFOLK, Neb. -- A Madison woman is in custody after authorities allegedly found a meth pipe in a Norfolk hotel.

Norfolk Police was called to the Hampton Inn on S. 20th Street for a trespassing report shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Hotel staff indicated that 38-year-old Megan Mahlin of Madison failed to pay for an additional night was past checkout.

Staff requested that officers remove Mahlin from the property and give her a trespass warning. When officers knocked on the door of the hotel room, they received no response.

Employees unlocked the door and officers entered, where they reportedly found a dog, clothing, and drug paraphernalia in Mahlin's room, but she was not present. According to Norfolk Police Capt. Michael Bauer, officers took a piece of glass, a small lighter torch and a yellow utility knife as evidence.

About an hour later, Bauer said, Mahlin returned to the hotel and was using a public computer workstation.

As officers were speaking to her, they noticed she had a bag next to her containing a clear container, according to Bauer. They reportedly could see a glass pipe inside the clear container. Officers tested the pipe and it came back positive for methamphetamine, Bauer said. 

Mahlin was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. She was housed in the Norfolk City Jail and later transferred to the Madison County Jail.