A Springfield woman is facing several felony charges after a shoplifting investigation in Bellefontaine led officers to discover methamphetamine and stolen property.
According to the Bellefontaine Police Department, officers were dispatched around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday to investigate a reported theft at a business in the 1700 block of South Main Street.
Employees reported that two women had left the area in either a black Honda or black Hyundai.
A short time later, an officer spotted a black Hyundai matching the description parked at Highpoint Village Shopping Center.
Officers watched the vehicle as it moved between businesses before eventually locating one of the women on foot near Bob Evans.
Police say the woman, identified as 53-year-old Heidi Evans of Springfield, initially gave officers the false name “Lora Hall” before admitting her true identity.
During the investigation, officers say Evans became confrontational and attempted to access her purse despite being told not to.
After obtaining consent to search the purse, officers reportedly found a butane torch lighter commonly associated with drug use.
As Evans stood up, officers also discovered a piece of foil underneath her containing suspected methamphetamine.
A further search of her purse allegedly uncovered additional suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, and multiple credit cards and identification belonging to another person.
Police also learned Evans was wanted on a probation violation warrant from Union County and was on judicial release from a previous high-speed pursuit.
While transporting Evans to the Logan County Jail, officers say they saw her attempting to conceal an item in her clothing.
After stopping the patrol vehicle, officers recovered what was described as a white O’Neill dress hidden in her pants.
Evans was lodged in the Logan County Jail on charges of tampering with evidence, possession of drugs, and obstructing official business.
Police say the suspected methamphetamine recovered in the case weighed approximately 4.26 grams, including the packaging.
The alleged shoplifting investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed.
