WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On February 23, 2023, the West Monroe Law enforcement Office responded to a shoplifting contact at Sally’s Splendor Salon on Blanchard Road. A few suspects have been arrested in relation to this incident.
Authorities were being notified that the suspected shoplifter was witnessed with an older girl and a pet dog wearing a environmentally friendly solid on her suitable arm. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they noticed an more mature girl who in good shape the description.
At the time get hold of was built with the woman, she recognized herself as 52-calendar year-aged Melissa Sims. Sims was recommended of her Miranda legal rights and stated that she comprehended.
Sims admitted to becoming with the shoplifter but denied stealing merchandise herself. On top of that, Sims educated authorities that the shoplifter was 42-calendar year-outdated Rusty Thomas and that she was being at the Woodspring’s Suites with her 40-calendar year-aged boyfriend, Gary Brown.
The police relocated to the Woodspring Suites to make make contact with with Thomas. When they arrived to her place, they ended up fulfilled by Brown, who claimed that Thomas was not in the place.
Authorities ongoing to give out various verbal instructions for Thomas to exit the place. At some point, Thomas walked outside the house of the place, and she and Brown had been encouraged of their Miranda rights, which both equally stated they understood.
According to authorities, Thomas confessed to shoplifting and reported that the stolen goods was inside of her purse in the hotel room. Brown and Thomas consented to a search of the room. In advance of the lookup of the place, Brown’s person was searched, and authorities situated a cannabis cigarette inside of a cigarette box in his front right shorts pocket.
The items from Sally’s Natural beauty Salon were being recovered and appeared to be unused the goods was returned to the business. Even more search of the room led to the discovery of numerous luggage of methamphetamine and cannabis, a single glass pipe, a scale, and numerous small vacant obvious plastic luggage stored in the tv stand drawer.
The merchandise ended up being held in a black box on the mattress. Brown claimed the items belonged to him, but Thomas said they were not hers and did not know who they belonged to. Brown reported he did not take in the LSD, but he still experienced it in his possession.
Law enforcement did a document look at on Brown, and it was uncovered that he also had an active warrant with the West Monroe Law enforcement Division. Gary Brown, Rusty Thomas, and Melissa Sims were all taken into custody and transported to the Ouachita Correctional Middle for booking.
Brown and Thomas are struggling with four felony charges, even though Sims faces two. The adhering to are the bonds set for the a few arrestees:
- Rusty Thomas – $21,750.00
- Gary Brown – $29,400.00
- Melissa Sims – $2,500.00
