Parked car leads to drug arrest

Authorities investigate stolen property, pawn receipts

After finding a car full of stolen goods, drug paraphernalia, pawn receipts and a woman with a hefty rap sheet behind the wheel, local law enforcement is delving deeper.

On Feb. 24, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle parked on a public street in High Springs, and discovered that the car’s Indiana license plate was expired.

After 44-year-old Helen S. Leo of High Springs denied the responding officer’s request for permission to search her car, he called in a K-9 unit.  Once the dog responded positively to narcotics after an exterior sniff of the car, officers proceeded to search the vehicle. The search revealed three hypodermic needles and a brillow pad, all items associated with consuming illegal narcotics.

Leo was then arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. According to arrest records, Leo was the driver, and her boyfriend was in the passenger seat.

Reports show that Leo has an extensive criminal history.

ACSO spokesman Art Forgey later confirmed that his office is conducting an ongoing investigation regarding stolen property found in Leo’s car, as well as a multitude of pawnshop receipts.

Forgey said Wednesday that there aren’t any new developments in the case that could be released.

Forgey added, “I anticipate there will be, but not at this time.”