CHATTANOOGA, TN — A man and two women were arrested Friday afternoon in the CVS parking lot on Highway 153 after being investigated for theft and drug possession. The incident began when CVS employees reported suspicious activity and a possible shoplifting incident.
According to an affidavit from the Chattanooga Police Department, CVS manager contacted 911 to report three individuals who had been parked outside for over 45 minutes. The manager noticed that a man, later identified as Trenton Degraftenreed, had urinated outside the vehicle, and all three individuals had been entering and exiting the store without purchasing anything.
When the officer arrived at the scene, he approached the vehicle and made contact with Degraftenreed and Chantella Walton. Trenton admitted to urinating next to the vehicle. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the car and observed a rolled blunt in the cup holder along with a small bag of marijuana. Upon further investigation, Trenton was found to have outstanding warrants from the city of East Ridge, leading to his detainment.
Walton claimed they were waiting for their friend, Jamekra Marsh, who was inside the store. Officers went inside and escorted Marsh out. Marsh identified the vehicle as hers and claimed the blunt was CBD. She asked to go to the restroom and insisted on taking her bags with her, despite being told she could not enter the restroom alone with the bags as officers were investigating the vehicle.
As Marsh attempted to enter the restroom with her black bag, an officer grabbed her arm, and she produced a Ziploc bag containing a large amount of methamphetamine. Marsh asked the officer to flush the bag down the toilet, but the investigation continued.
Further search of Marsh’s bags revealed a variety of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, fentanyl, and crack cocaine, as well as items commonly used in drug sales. Officers also found stolen makeup and household goods worth $70.34 from CVS.
A search of the vehicle revealed additional drugs, including a burnt glass pipe, a small rock of white crystalline substance, and several balls of foil. Officers also found a scale and a bottle of Naloxone (used to reverse opioid overdoses) in the car.
The total stolen items amounted to $70.34.
Degraftenreed was arrested and transported to Hamilton County Jail for his warrants. Marsh and Walton were also transported to the jail on multiple charges.
Charges:
Jamekra Marsh: Criminal conspiracy, tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and 7 counts of drugs for resale.
Trenton Degraftenreed: Theft and driving without a license.
Chantella Walton: Theft, tampering with evidence, drugs for resale, and possession of paraphernalia.
