Shoplifting Turns Into Drug Arrest

A call about a shoplifter turned into a drug arrest Tuesday night in Newport. Police were called to Tractor supply in the Western Plaza about a man putting items down his shirt. The man entered the store’s restroom, then exited the store. An employee would later find empty packaging inside the restroom.

Police were able to stop the vehicle the suspect and female driver were in before they left the parking lot. The suspect was 44 year old Tarel Gardner. He was in possession of a small green metal canister. Inside was methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle yielded a total of 33 grams of meth belonging to Gardner. He was charged with for MFG/SAL/DEL of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The woman in the vehicle with Gardner was 49 year old Elvira Hill. Her wallet was found in the car and it contained a small green metal canister which contained just over 1.2 grams of methamphetamine. she was charged with simple possession. The shoplifted items from Tractor Supply were not found.