Walmart Shoplifting Bust Turns Into Fentanyl Arrest

What started as a routine shoplifting call at Walmart quickly spiraled into a drug trafficking investigation after deputies say a woman first gave them a fake name — then started talking about fentanyl hidden inside a van. According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to Walmart after store staff detained a woman accused of shoplifting. When deputies arrived, the woman identified herself as “Shania Runyon.” But investigators quickly became suspicious. According to the report, when deputies pressed her about whether that was actually her name, she insisted it was. Then the situation took a dramatic turn. Deputies told the woman she would be going to jail in connection with the theft case. At that point, she allegedly offered to reveal the location of drugs, telling deputies a man sitting in a van outside the store had fentanyl inside the vehicle. She reportedly claimed the pair had recently returned from Columbus and described the drugs as “a couple balls of fentanyl.” The woman was later identified as Destiny Lester. Deputies then began searching for the van she described. A short time later, officers spotted a matching vehicle leaving the Wendy’s parking lot near the store and conducted a traffic stop after allegedly observing an object hanging from the rearview mirror obstructing the driver’s view. The driver was identified as Tommy Grimmett. According to the report: Grimmett initially handed deputies a debit card instead of identification Deputies located powdery substances during a search Additional suspected narcotics were found in the vehicle Lester later handed over foil-wrapped packages she had reportedly concealed inside her bra Investigators say the suspected fentanyl later tested positive in a field test. Authorities reported the combined weight totaled approximately 3.7 grams and was sent to BCI for further testing. Deputies also discovered Lester’s real identity after she reportedly allowed officers to look through her cellphone. Investigators stated her Facebook Messenger account showed her real name rather than the fake name she originally provided. Both Lester and Grimmett were transported to the Lawrence County Jail. According to the report: Lester was charged with theft, possession, trafficking, and identity fraud Grimmett was charged with possession and trafficking

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