City police were too clever for one woman who allegedly attempted to hide drugs on her body, when the vehicle she was riding in was pulled over for a traffic stop.
Margaret Nichole Thomas, 30, of 635 Campbell St., faces charges that include tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Friday, police stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Campbell Street and Little League Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle, Donald Scouten, told police his passenger, Thomas, had asked him to stop in the 700 block of West Edwin Street. She allegedly exited the vehicle and then returned a short time later.
When Thomas noticed the cop car behind them, she allegedly told Scouten to "drive away and go slow" because she "had something on her," according to court records.
Scouten then watched as Thomas "shoved something down her pants," according to police.
Police searched the vehicle, which contained no illegal substances. However, Scouten told police they should search Thomas, as he believed she was concealing narcotics.
Thomas originally told police that she only was on West Edwin Street to purchase $5 worth of marijuana. However, she later told them she had a bag of cocaine concealed on her body, according to police.
According to court records, she removed an orange, 1/2-inch wax bag containing a rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Thomas, who is on probation for a former controlled substances violation, was taken to the police station for processing. Lycoming County Probation then issued a detainer for her to be placed in the Lycoming County Prison on new charges.
Thomas was arraigned before District Judge James Carn on Friday. She remains incarcerated in lieu of $18,500 bail.
Her preliminary hearing before Carn will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
