NEW CASTLE, Pa.—Police say a fourth suspect jailed in connection with a suspected methamphetamine lab is the "mastermind" of the western Pennsylvania operation.

The New Castle News ( http://bit.ly/LLAxn0) reports Monday that 33-year-old Richard Carey was arrested late last week. Police on Tuesday had arrested 37-year-old Wendy Carey and Scott Shoaff, and 31-year-old Nicholas Stewart on charges related to the lab and the storage of dangerous chemicals in two homes in New Castle. That's about 45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

Online court records don't list defense attorneys. Police say Carey has used and cooked the powerful illegal stimulant since he was a teenager.

Police were first called to the home late Monday, and crews remained there Tuesday removing what they said were dangerous chemicals used to make the drug.

Three children removed from the homes have been turned over to county caseworkers.

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Information from: New Castle News, http://www.ncnewsonline.com