A 71-year-old Crab Orchard man was able to identify a woman he found inside his home allegedly stealing cash, and the resulting investigation led to the suspect being charged and the recovery of an illegally possessed drug.
Dianne Patricia Lawson, 59, Edwards Lane, is charged with theft of property of up to $1,000 and possession of meth with intent.
The theft is alleged to have occurred in the 200 block of Second Street in Crab Orchard between noon and 1 p.m. Dec. 10, according to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Dustin Jackson’s report.
The report states Deputy Morgan Alvarez was the first responding officer and was told by the victim that he found a woman inside his home and $300 in $100 denominations missing after the woman left.
A search warrant for the residence was obtained and the suspect reportedly showed deputies where the missing funds were hidden. Deputies found with the cash a bag containing a crystallized substance deputies identified as meth.
The report states Lawson was given citations charging theft and possession. Lawson was released on her own recognizance with a tentative court date of Jan. 13 set in General Sessions Court.