A suspected armed shoplifter who led officers on a short foot chase was later busted when he tried smuggling a substance believed to be fentanyl in his anus as he was booked into the county jail, police said.
The bizarre incident unfolded in Daly City, Calif., south of San Francisco, this week. The suspect was identified only as a transient.
“On Wednesday, July 14 at 4:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Dollar Tree store on Geneva Avenue on a report of a man with a knife,” Daly City Police stated. "The dispatcher advised that the subject was trying to shoplift, and when confronted, he pulled out a knife and was trying to fight people. When the officers arrived, they were told that the subject had left the store.”
Officers scoured the area in search of the suspect.
“The reporting party gave a description of the subject, and officers saw a subject matching the description on Schwerin Street near Geneva Avenue,” police added. “When the subject saw the officers, he ran away from them. After a 20-yard chase, the officers were able to gain custody of the subject. The 36-year old transient subject was booked in jail for robbery, resisting arrest, and for an outstanding warrant.”
That’s when things took a very disturbing turn.
“After searching the subject in jail, the correctional staff found suspected fentanyl in the subject’s anus,” police added. “A charge of bringing contraband into the jail was added to the list of offenses.”
Jail smuggling has become a prevalent concern for law enforcement agencies around the Bay Area.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office recently purchased a new weapon in the fight against contraband being smuggled into the confines of a jail.
"The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Custody Services Bureau has acquired the Tek84 Intercept Full Body Scanner," officials announced. "The Intercept will be used at intake at the Martinez Detention Facility as arrestees are processed and booked into the facility. According to Tek84, the Intercept 'detects both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including weapons, drugs, cell phones, and other contraband. Screens from below the feet to above the head reveal items under the clothing and within the body.' In addition, the Intercept allows staff to maintain a distance of six feet of social distancing space between them and arrestees while conducting contraband searches.”
Federal funds were used to purchase the $152,000 scanner.
“This technology is about safety and security and is one of many steps we are taking to improve our facilities,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “This is a win-win. It will help prevent contraband from entering our jails, thus making it safer for inmates and staff.”
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