A Middlesboro woman remains in the Bell County Detention Center on several charges following her arrest last week.

Ashley Patterson, 31, is charged with theft by unlawful taking/shoplifting under $500, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) first degree, first offense. She also was served with two outstanding bench warrants.

On Thursday, Middlesboro Police Officer Harvey Johnson responded to a complaint at Middlesboro Walmart, where a loss prevention employee informed him that Patterson had been accused of shoplifting merchandise valued at $33.62.

In the citation, Johnson stated he was walking Patterson down a hallway in the store when he noticed a black 35mm film canister roll out of her pant leg. The officer reported that Patterson attempted to walk away from the container and said it wasn’t hers.

The report said Johnson opened the container and found a baggy of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Patterson has $50 cash bonds on the outstanding bench warrants, but was not given bonds on the other charges and remains in jail.