Drug Suspect Tries To Ditch Police After Stakeout

A Springdale woman sought by police on felony warrants was arrested after trying to ditch officers at a local Walmart.

Michelle Friedman, 30, remained in the Washington County Detention Center on Tuesday awaiting a bond hearing in connection with felony possession of drug paraphernalia, contempt of court and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Springdale police received a tip over the weekend that Friedman was staying at the La Quinta Inn in town. Officers staked out the hotel, then followed Friedman’s car to the Walmart on Thompson Street.

Police approached Friedman as she got out of her car outside the store, but Friedman got back into her car and drove off, leaving behind a male passenger who had also stepped out of the vehicle, according to a preliminary arrest report.

A squad car waiting on Arkansas Highway 412 intercepted Friedman and pulled her over. Officers searched Friedman’s car and found a large amount of money, 9 grams of methamphetamine, 10 Hydromorphone pills, six Oxycodone pills, almost 3 grams of mushrooms and several plastic baggies.

Friedman was arrested at the scene.