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Drugs allegedly found in vehicle

 

An Austin man who allegedly stole $2,599.93 in electronic merchandise from Kwik Trip made his first appearance on Wednesday in Mower County District Court.

Anthony Barrett Graham, 36, has been charged with second-degree drugs – sale of 10 grams or more of a narcotic drug other than heroin, third-degree drugs – possess 10 grams or more of a narcotic drug other than heroin, and theft – take/use/transfer movable property without consent – all felonies. He has also been charged with misdemeanor possession of over 1.4 grams of marijuana in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor driving after revocation.

According to the court complaint, an Austin police officer was dispatched to the KwikTrip gas station on 10th Drive Northeast on Sunday regarding a theft that occurred the previous day. The officer met with an adult female store employee, who said the store was missing seven items of expensive electronic merchandise, valued at $2,599.93, from a locked case inside the store. The officer watched security video footage and saw the suspect, later identified as Graham, remove the items from the case and then leave the store without paying.

The following items were listed as stolen:

• Blue Parrot B450-XT Bluetooth headset valued at $149.99;

• Three Garmin DEZL 780 NA LMT-S ($399.99 each) valued at $1,199.97;

• Garmin DEZLCAM 785 NA LM valued at $499.99;

• CB Mobile NOAA weather radio valued at $149.99; and

• Rand McNally OverDryve 8 Pro Tab valued at $599.99.

The officer then made contact with the registered owner of the 2006 Pontiac G6 that Graham was driving. The registered owner indicated that he sold the Pontiac to another man in November 2019. He said he had reported to police that the man did not pay him for the car and indicated that he believed the man had sold the car to someone else.

On Monday, narcotics detectives advised the officer that there was probable cause to arrest Graham for felony theft. The officer learned that Graham was seen driving the Pontiac in the 800 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast and he responded to that area. He knew Graham’s driving status was “revoked” and he soon located Graham and the Pontiac in the 400 block of Second Street Southeast. He made contact with Graham and arrested him.

The Pontiac was towed to the Mower County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) pending a search warrant.

Narcotics detectives interviewed Graham after reading him a Miranda warning. Graham admitted to taking one GPS unit from the KwikTrip store. Graham also said he was selling drugs in the City of Austin and that he had drugs in his car.

One of the narcotics detectives was granted a search warrant for the Pontiac and located 12.68 grams of marijuana, 17.21 grams of methamphetamine, and a methamphetamine pipe.

A review of Graham’s criminal record shows prior convictions for theft, drug possession and violating a no contact order.

Graham will appear in court again on May 21.