Police Pull Alleged Thief Over, Find Cocaine Pipe

A shoplifting incident allegedly landed one Minneapolis woman in even bigger trouble when police, searching her vehicle for stolen merchandise, found a cocaine pipe.

Chautaux Starre McMullen, 39, faces one felony count of possessing a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of theft, and one petty misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, plus a misdemeanor count of driving with a revoked license, following the March 25 incident.

Police responded to a business in Eagan after receiving a report that two women placed store items in their purses before leaving without paying for the items, according to a criminal complaint issued by the Dakota County Attorney's office.

Officers located the suspects' vehicle, and stopped the car to search the vehicle. In two bags stored in the car, police allegedly found the stolen merchandise and a glass pipe officers recognized as a crack cocaine or methamphetamine pipe. The pipe had residue, a filter and fresh burn marks, police said.

Chemical tests on the pipe revealed the presence of cocaine, according to the complaint. Officers also reviewed camera footage from the store showing McMullen carrying the bag containing some of the stolen merchandise and the pipe.

If convicted on the felony possession charge, McMullen could face a maximum of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

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