A homeless woman was arrested after being found with drugs and knives in a store parking lot in Leesburg.
Police observed a silver Dodge Magnum station wagon parked outside of 7 Stars Discount Beverage store, 2005 W. Main St., at around 12:22 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
As officers got out to of their patrol cars to approach the suspicious vehicle, a man exited from the front passenger seat. He started towards the officer but was told to stop and stand at the rear of the station wagon while one of the officers checked inside the open vehicle, the report said.
The officer observed 38-year-old Amanda Marie Canada sitting in the front seat, the report said. A silver spoon, a syringe and a lighter were seen on the passenger floorboard. There was another syringe on the front passenger seat and one more sticking out of the open center console.
Two knives were also found, one of which was on the front passenger seat, the report said. The other, a long rusty knife, sat in the open passenger side glove box. The blade appeared to be around seven or more inches long.
Another unit was requested as one of the officers spoke to Canada. She advised there was an active warrant for her arrest, which was confirmed to be out of Marion County. The back up unit then arrived and detained Canada and her male companion, the report said.
While the two were taken into custody, the officer began to further investigate the vehicle. He found a black nylon zippered bag in the open passenger glove box. The bag had a small torn corner from a plastic baggie that contained a white powdery substance. The 1.25 grams tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Later, during the booking process, an officer located a second small torn corner from a plastic baggie in the same bag inside a Velcro pocket. It also contained .50 grams of a white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
A pill bottle with a different woman’s name was found inside the open center console, the report said. Eighteen white tablets with different score marks and imprints were still in the bottle. Despite the differences, each pill was identified as Gabapentin, which is typically used to treat epilepsy and requires a prescription.
Canada was also searched while she was in custody, the report said. A tiny Ziploc-style baggie was found in her right front coin pocket. Inside the bag was .47 grams of a crystalized substance. This tested positive for methamphetamine, as well.
Canada was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
