Toccoa Shoplifting Case Turns Into Drug Bust, Carnesville Woman Arrested

A case of alleged shoplifting leads to the arrest in Toccoa of a Carnesville woman on drug charges.

It happened Wednesday, October 7 at the Toccoa Wal-mart.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell, it started when officer Steve Nicely tried to arrest 33-year-old Dianne Brook Wade Whisnant of Carnesville for shoplifting less than $15 worth of items.

“In the process of making the arrest, she broke free from him and began to flee the business,” said Jarrell. “(Officer) Nicely was able to catch up with her. She began to fight back. She did try to bite him during the struggle. Other officers arrived to assist him in the arrest. After placing handcuffs on her, they discovered she had a small plastic baggy with an all-white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine on her person. In addition to the suspected methamphetamine, they found a glass pipe believed to be used for smoking methamphetamine.”

In addition to a charge of misdemeanor shoplifting, Jarrell says Whisnant was also charged with three felonies, including, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of a police officer and interference with government property.

The chief says Whisnant was charged with interference with government property as a result of damaging the officer’s body camera.

And in Toccoa, another drug arrest over the weekend.

Jarrell says an officer responded to a reported disturbance on Hillcrest Drive last Friday at about 11p.

“While investigating, the disturbance, they were able to recover a small amount of marijuana and during the course of the investigation, the officer had reason to believe that there was more marijuana at the residence, Jarrell said. “A search warrant was obtained for the residence. During the execution of the search warrant, a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana was located in various locations throughout the house.”

Jarrell said about 1/2 pound of marijuana was recovered in the home, along with drug related objects used for smoking marijuana.

According to the chief, 30-year-old Kyle Patrick Runner of Toccoa was charge with felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.