What Alleged Shoplifter Left in West Des Moines Store Got Her in More Trouble

For the second time in a week, West Des Moines police were called to a local business to investigate abandoned property it’s illegal to possess in Iowa.

In the first case, a man dropped a bag containing 4.5 grams of methamphetamine in a local convenience store. Police said he “inadvertently” left the illicit drugs behind. The incident was captured on in-store surveillance video.

Tuesday’s incident didn't appear to be accidental.

A woman arrested for shoplifting reportedly stashed her stash in a tissue box in the Von Maur Department Store’s Valley West Mall security offices before police were called to arrest her on second-degree theft charges.

After police arrested the woman, identified as Christine Farris, 47, of Des Moines, store personnel found a wad of used tissues stuffed in a box. When they removed them, they found wrapped inside them an orange coin purse with two containers, one holding 5.3 grams of marijuana and the other .7 gram of methamphetamine.

Von Maur surveillance video shows her concealing the drugs, according to the report.

A warrant was subsequently issued for Schedule I and Schedule II possession of controlled substance. Police reportedly called Farris and asked her if she wanted to turn herself in, but she said she wanted to speak to an attorney first.