Savannah man accused of dismantling father's wheelchair batteries, making meth

Feb. 24– A mother’s concern for her son appears to have gotten him arrested on a drug charge Tuesday afternoon.

Jimmy R. Brewer, 40, 120 Robemma St., Apt. 1, is charged with initiation of methamphetamine manufacture, said Savannah police Investigator TJ Barker.

He said Brewer’s mother called police, saying she smelled a strong chemical odor coming from the apartment and no one would come to the door.

Officers arrived and when she opened the door, "smoke poured out," Barker said.

Bottles and items being used for "shake and bake" meth production were in the apartment, he said, but no finished product was found.

The Savannah Fire Department ventilated the apartment and three other apartments in the four-unit building were temporarily evacuated.

Barker said a crew from United States Environmental Services in Memphis came and took away the hazardous materials for proper disposal. Brewer’s apartment cannot be used until it undergoes extensive clean-up to remove residual chemicals, but adjoining tenants are again occupying their homes.

Police records show Brewer was previously arrested on Feb. 5, accused of beating up his father, Austin Brewer.

Barker said Jimmy Brewer was charged with domestic assault after he supposedly dismantled batteries used in his father’s wheelchair.

A component in batteries is sometimes used to make meth.