Shoplifting leads to drug and gun seizure in College Place
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
News release from College Place Police Department
COLLEGE PLACE – On 11/05/2023 not long after 11:00 PM, College Place Police Department (CPPD) Officers were dispatched to a report of a shoplifting that was occurring at Walmart (1700 SE Meadowbrook Blvd.).
When officers arrived, that made contact with Walmart Asset Protection employees, who were out with a female they had observed shoplifting. At the time, the female had refused to provide her name. Officers on scene were able to identify the female as a Walla Walla resident in her mid-20’s. At this time, the female shall remain unnamed. The female has previously been arrested for shoplifting and trespassed form all Walmart properties, making her actions that day a burglary.
While reviewing security footage of the shoplifting, Officers noticed that the female was seen going to and from the store, loading stolen merchandise into a vehicle in the parking lot.
Being that there was reason to believe that stolen merchandise was inside the female’s vehicle, Officers elected to have the vehicle seized so that a warrant could be applied for and executed to recover the stolen property.
At that time, the female was transported to the Walla Walla County Jail where she was booked on charges of Burglary in the 2nd Degree (RCW: 9A.52.030) and Theft in the 3rd Degree (RCW:9A.56.050).
On 11/06/2023, CPPD Officers applied for and were granted a search warrant for the female’s vehicle. Upon execution of the search warrant, Officers quickly located a sandwich bag full of a white crystalline substance (believed to be methamphetamine) and a firearm. Officers then stopped their search and contacted members of the Regional Drug and Gang Task Force to advise them of what they had located.
Once an amended search warrant was granted, Task Force members assisted the CPPD Officers in completing the search. The search warrant resulted in several controlled substances being seized (Methamphetamine (9.79 oz), heroin, fentanyl power, lysergic acid diethylamide (Acid/LSD), Alprazolam (Xanax), psilocybin mushrooms, and methadone), packaging, a digital scale, a ledger containing pricing and customer names, and a firearm.
At the time of the completion of the search warrant, the female had already been released from jail.
On 11/21/2023, Task Force Detectives conducted surveillance and observed the female at a drinking establishment. The female was taken into custody again without incident.
The female is to be charged with 7 counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (RCW: 69.50.401), Controlled Substance Counterfeit (111 fentanyl pills) (RCW: 69.50.416), Carrying Firearms (RCW: 9.41.050) and Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree (RCW: 9A.56.170).
