A call alerting police to a possible drug sale in the Walgreens parking lot ended with the arrest of a Pinellas County couple for stealing a Volkswagen Beetle.
Jason Woods, 31, of Tarpon Springs, and Hope A. Williamson, 33, of St. Petersburg, were arrested Jan. 17 on motor vehicle theft charges after police determined the car had been reported stolen Jan. 15 in St. Petersburg.
Williamson also was charged with possessing a controlled substance without a prescription, taking contraband into the jail and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Holmes Beach Police Department officers initially found Woods and Williamson in the VW talking to a man in the parking lot at Walgreens, 3200 East Bay Blvd., Holmes Beach.
Police searched the vehicle and found a crack pipe tucked into a seat behind Williamson. A Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy found four Valium pills on Williamson.
Woods and Williamson were booked in the Manatee County jail. Woods was held on a $1,500 bond. A $5,000 bond was set for Williamson.
At their first appearance, a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge appointed public defenders to both defendants and set arraignments for 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.