RICHLAND CO.— A West Salem woman who apparently thought it was a good idea to just take whatever she wanted from the Olney Walmart was not only arrested for same but then decided it would be okay to take her drug pipe into the county jail with her.
The saga began to unfold, authorities say, on Aug. 27, when Sarah Rebecca Sparks, 35, of the 300 block of Seminary St., West Salem, was snagged walking out of the store after shopping for food and a bit of jewelry.
Details in her Retail Theft charge reveal that Ms. Sparks’ dietary choices are fairly healthy as opposed to her shopping habits.
She is accused of taking deli turkey, cheese, cashews, frozen burritos and plums, and then topping off her selection for supper with some bling.
Taken into custody at the store, Sparks was transported to the county jail where she was found to be in possession of a glass drug pipe.
Whether or not she simply neglected or refused to inform the arresting officer she was holding or if she secreted the device in some body cavity is known.
Sparks was released from police custody the next day after a $500 cash bond was posted on her behalf by Tammy Richardson, of the 400 block of East Ninth St., Mt. Carmel.
Holds woman at gunpoint
In an unrelated story, a Dundas felon has been charged with holding woman at gunpoint.
Edward D. Shaw, 54, of the 7200 block of North East Rd., Dundas, has been charged with Felon in Possession/Use of a Firearm and Aggravated Unlawful Restraint.
Authorities say that on Aug. 22, Shaw, a convicted felon from New Jersey, held Heather Weber at gunpoint at his home using a HW38 Armius revolver.
He was released from police custody Aug. 27 after a $2,500 cash bond was posted on his behalf by George Slawson of East State Highway 33, Willow Hill.
Suspected dirtbag hits liquor store, caught on camera
Jacob L. Tracy, 24, of 228 South Adams, Olney, has been charged with one count of Burglary after authorities say on Sept. 3, he entered RJ, Inc., formerly known as Bottle Hut liquor store, located at 153 West North Ave., Noble, with intent to commit theft.
Mr. Tracy was unfortunate enough to have been caught on video surveillance, which he likely didn’t know was even in operation at the small but very popular liquor store, and his image sent out across social networking so that the common folk could come to the aid of the law and assist in his identification and apprehension.
Jacob Tracy joins a long list of Richland County Tracys who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Cash bond in the case was set at $3,000.