Report: Shoplifting Investigation Leads to 2 Meth Arrests

A shoplifting investigation led Lexington officers to arrest two people for possession of methamphetamine Sunday, according to a Lexington Police Department report. 

Daphne Dion Starnes, 27, of Gaston and Joseph John Savastano, 35, of Lexington are each charged with shoplifting less than $2,000, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the report. 

Officers responded to a call about shoplifting at Kohl's around 5:45 p.m., according to the report. A loss prevention agent for the store told the officer that a woman and a man took clothes and shoes from the store, hid them in a pink bag the woman was carrying and left. 

The loss prevention employee followed the pair - later identified as Starnes and Savastano - outside, according to the report. When he confronted Starnes, she yelled, "I don't want to go back to jail," dropped the bag and ran. Savastano got in a vehicle and left. 

The employee and the police officer found a South Carolina ID in the bag with Starnes' name and a bank card with Savastano's name, according to the report. When the officer looked up Starnes' information, he saw that she had warrants for a drug violation. 

The officer tracked down an address for Savastano and went to his apartment on East Main Street, according to the report. When he arrived, Starnes and Savastano were standing in the breezeway. 

The officer searched two bookbags that belonged to Starnes and Savastano and found a glass pipe containing meth residue, a scale, butane lighter fluid, a butane torch, latex gloves, alcohol wipes and small plastic bags commonly used for packaging drugs, according to the report. 

The officer placed Starnes and Savastano in the patrol car and transported them to the Lexington County Detention Center, according to the report. When he searched the car after they exited, he found a pill bottle containing more than 5 grams of meth. 

Starnes is being held at the detention center on bail totaling $16,092. Savastano was released Monday on a $10,000 bond.