ROGERS — Thanks to the help of some observant Walmart employees, the Rogers Police Department was able to stop a mobile meth lab on Christmas Eve.
Noticing two individuals who were purchasing items aiding in manufacturing methamphetamine, Walmart Loss Prevention officers at 2110 W. Walnut St. contacted Rogers police. Jody Lee Shamblin, 35, of Salina, Okla., and Belinda Ann Gourd, 36, of Claremore, Okla., were then arrested in connection with felony possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both Shamblin and Gourd were caught on video surveillance by the loss prevention staff selecting items used to manufacture methamphetamine. When spotting police officers on the scene, the duo attempted to put several of the items back on the shelves before checking out.
A police dog searched the duo’s vehicle outside the store. Some of the items found during the search included coffee filters, lithium batteries, pseudoephedrine, mason jars filled with unknown liquid, balls of foil, muriatic acid, Drano, starter fluid and needles.
“We went out and searched the car and just found a textbook of items found in clandestine labs,” said Cpl. Kelley Cradduck of the Rogers Police Department.
Cradduck said it’s not every day when a meth lab is busted with the help of someone outside the department. But he credited Walmart staff with being on their toes under difficult circumstances.
“Walmart employees and their lost prevention people are trained to catch people who are stealing,” Cradduck said. “For them to go above and beyond and realize and recognize they were stealing items that were used in manufacturing meth was incredible. As a matter of fact, I told them that. I told them they did an amazing job.
“And they didn’t wait around in contacting the police. This was a good team effort. The police were there quickly and it was hard to get in and out of there at that time. It was a madhouse and they were even staying open two hours later than usual because of all the people. But when the (police dog) was alerted on the vehicle, that enabled us to get inside the vehicle and rest is history.”
Along with the felony charges of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, both Shamblin and Gourd were also charged with manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of a minor.
“Something that is very common in these deals, all kinds of children’s books, toys and car seats were in that vehicle,” Cradduck said. “So there was obviously kids in that car at some point and you’re taking it away from those kids as well. So that’s why this was so extraordinary. This was a good sized lab. You’re talking about that lab probably producing several ounces at a time, at $1,500 to $3,000 per ounce.”
Shamblin and Gourd are being held at the Benton County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bonds each.