According to police, a south St. Louis County Walmart was evacuated when a woman detained for shoplifting was making meth in the loss prevention office.
Local police arived at the Walmart on Telegraph Road near Interstate 255 for a report of a woman shoplifting.
The stores Loss prevention officer had detained the woman, and placed in a holding area until police arrived.
According to police reports, while detained, the suspect was cooking meth in a 20 ounce doda bottle in her purse.
Meth is known to explode, so the store was evacuated.
Authorites say there were never any fumes inside the store.
“It was a violitile situation because the meth lab was actively working but I don’t think anyone was in danger with the way the were able to move everyone out. It was still volatile, but everybody was kept at a safe distance,” said Lt. Mark Cox.
A hazmat team then had to respond to clean up the holding room.
St. Louis County Police say when they searched the woman’s car, materials directly involved in the production of meth were recovered.
In addition to the woman, a male accomplice was arrested for shoplifting as well.
Woman Made Meth In Her Purse At Wal-Mart Store
