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MIDDLETOWN — A Middletown man was busted Thursday evening for allegedly trying to sell an ounce of powder cocaine at the Auto Zone on Roosevelt Boulevard.

Joshua Lengyel, 30, was arraigned Friday, March 7, for felonious cocaine trafficking and marijuana abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and having weapons under disability.

A reliable confidential informant tipped police to Lengyel's alleged drug activities, said Middletown police Sgt. David Birk.

At Auto Zone, officers found the cocaine in Lengyel's left coat pocket and marijuana in his right pocket, according to reports.

A search after the bust at Lengyel's home in the 1600 block of Lamberton Street turned up more marijuana, digital scales and two guns, which Lengyel, a convicted felon, is barred from owning, Birk said.

The total amount of marijuana confiscated was more than 200 grams.

Birk said Middletown police have seen more arrests involving large amounts of cocaine.

"We've been trying to target the sellers," he said.

Police believe Lengyel was a midlevel dealer in the city's drug trade.

"He's middle management I'd say. He's not standing on the street corner." Birk said. "He's definitely moving some drugs."

Lengyel is due back in Middletown Municipal Court on April 4 for a preliminary hearing. He was released Thursday, March 6, from the Middletown City Jail after posting 10 percent of a $22,500 bond, according to jail records.

He was convicted in 2001 for burglary, a third-degree felony, and was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation, according to Butler County Clerk of Court records.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2511 or dwells@coxohio.com.