A pair from Billings was arrested Thursday after reportedly stealing purses from a Bozeman store. While being arrested, Bozeman Police officers found methamphetamine and heroin in the pair’s vehicle.
According to charging documents, the man had an amount of heroin equal to approximately 162 doses of the drug.
Amber Ann Stein, 27, and Waylon Adam Carroll, 38, were both charged with felony theft and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs in Gallatin County Justice Court Friday morning.
According to court documents, Bozeman Police were dispatched a report of a theft in progress. An employee of Macy’s reported that a woman (later identified as Stein) had run out of the store with six purses on her arm. The employee then saw Stein in the parking lot near Kohl’s, at the trunk of a black Audi with a man.
When police arrived, Stein was inside Kohl’s but was found and arrested. An employee of Kohl’s informed the officer that Stein had thrown something into a garbage can. Police found a small makeup bag containing what was later determined to be meth, a meth pipe, illegal pills, a small amount of marijuana and various drug paraphernalia. The makeup bag was reportedly the only item located in the trash can.
When police arrived on the scene at Kohl’s, Carroll was observed standing next to a black Audi. When questioned, he denied knowing Stein and reportedly appeared very nervous. Carroll was found to be on probation for drug-related crimes. During a pat search for weapons, approximately $3,000 was found on Carroll, along with a knife.
While looking into the vehicle from outside, officers noticed that Carroll’s vehicle had merchandise from various retailers. Carroll reportedly stated he was on his way to Helena from Billings and stopped to shop. When asked if anything was illegal or stolen in the vehicle, Carroll said no.
Carroll denied officer consent to search his vehicle for stolen property, but his probation officer requested a search.
A white container of 14.6 grams of methamphetamine was reportedly found in the center console. When arrested $2,781 were seized from Carroll’s pants.
A further search of Carroll’s vehicle found two clear containers with 8.5 grams and 7.7 grams heroin. A loaded syringe was also seized. The meth and heroin will be sent to the crime lab for analysis.
When interviewed, Carroll told investigators that he uses heroin and allegedly bought an ounce of heroin from a source in the San Francisco area. He also reportedly admitted to having the loaded syringe and admitted to selling drugs to approximately four people in Billings.
Investigators say the amount of heroin seized (16.2 grams) is equal to approximately 162 doses of heroin.
Stein is being held on $35,000 bond and Carroll’s bond was set at $50,000.
Additional reporting by Carson Vickroy.
