Shoplifting arrest uncovers mobile meth lab

Kevin Kelshaw reported to Historic City News that when sheriff’s deputies responded to a shoplifting call early Sunday evening, they discovered a mobile methamphetamine lab in the suspect’s vehicle; leading to the arrest of two men and one woman.

Beall’s department store, located at Cobblestone Village, reported that a 32-year-old Putnam County woman was observed taking merchandise from several departments within the store, which she took with her into a dressing room.

When the woman exited the dressing room, store security officers observed that she no longer had the merchandise — but her previously empty purse was bulging.

The woman, who was later identified as Nicole Rae Smith, residing at 102 Perch Street in Palatka, left the store without paying. Security officers followed her outside and detained her while the attempted theft was reported. Smith was observed attempting to enter a vehicle in the parking lot that was occupied by two men and another woman.

When deputies arrived to investigate, they discovered evidence of a methamphetamine lab inside the vehicle, as well as suspected drug paraphernalia, and an unreported amount of suspected counterfeit currency.

Smith was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and retail theft.

Also arrested was 35-year-old David Scott Retalic of Okeechobee; charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. At the time Retalic was taken into custody, an open Putnam County warrant for his arrest was discovered.

The second man in the vehicle was identified as 54-year-old Jerome Reginald Bowen who lives at 103 Tarpon Boulevard in Palatka. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

The second woman in the vehicle was questioned by detectives and released without charges.

Smith, Retalic, and Bowen remain in the St Johns County Detention Facility with bonds ranging from $500-$10,500.

The US Secret Service is conducting a concurrent investigation into the suspected counterfeit currency discovered in the vehicle at the time of the arrests.