Thief River Falls Gas Stop Leads to Drug, Tax Charges

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Warren woman faces two charges after pills were found outside a local gas station.

Heather Nicole Thompson, 28, is charged with felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime.

She also faces gross misdemeanor intent to escape tax.

The charges stem from an incident Aug. 5 at Northdale Petro Pumper in Thief River Falls.

Bag of Pills Found at Gas Station

A sheriff’s deputy went to the business at about 8:55 p.m.

The deputy picked up a bag of pills that had been found outside.

The sheriff’s office identified the pills as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, according to the complaint.

The drugs are commonly sold under the brand name Adderall.

Amphetamine is listed as a Schedule II controlled substance under Minnesota law.

Investigators then reviewed surveillance video recorded at about 5:04 p.m.

The video showed a woman getting out of a vehicle to pump gasoline.

A clear plastic bag appeared to fall near the driver’s door, according to the complaint.

The woman did not initially appear to notice the bag.

She was later seen looking around before driving away.

The vehicle returned shortly afterward and stopped near another gas pump.

The woman again looked around the vehicle before leaving.

Investigators worked to identify the woman shown on the surveillance recording.

The vehicle remained registered to previous owners, according to the complaint.

It had reportedly been sold to Thompson’s former boyfriend months earlier.

The vehicle’s registration tabs had expired in April.

Investigators compared the surveillance video with a 2022 driver’s license photograph of Thompson.

They believed Thompson matched the woman shown in the recording.

Authorities later found the vehicle outside Thompson’s Warren home.

Mail addressed to Thompson was allegedly visible inside the vehicle.

Thompson allegedly confirmed buying gasoline at the Thief River Falls store.

However, she denied seeing or dropping the bag of pills.

She then requested an attorney, according to the complaint.

Thompson now faces a felony fifth-degree controlled substance charge.

Minnesota Statute 152.025 covers certain unlawful possession of Schedule I through IV substances.

She also faces an intent to escape tax charge involving vehicle registration.

Minnesota Statute 168.35 classifies that offense as a gross misdemeanor.

The complaint also says social services were contacted regarding conditions at Thompson’s home.

The charges are allegations. Thompson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.