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By Jon Johnson
PIMA – Three suspects were arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility for trafficking in stolen property on New Year’s Eve after being caught stealing various items from the Dollar General store.
Two syringes full of methamphetamine were also found in the possession of one of the suspects, Clayton Harrington, 30, and he was also charged with possession of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to a Pima Police report, an officer was dispatched at about 2:20 p.m. regarding shoplifters at the Dollar General at 160 E. U.S. Highway 70. Upon arrival, an officer located a black, Ford SUV reportedly used by the suspects and noticed several items with Dollar General price tags on them inside the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, officers, located and arrested three suspects, Harrington, Andrea McNair, 33, and Michael Lopez, 28. All three suspects either had stolen items in their possession or were seen on store surveillance footage concealing items and taking them out of the store before returning.
Upon questioning, McNair advised they had stolen the items to give to her children on their birthday; 4-year-old twins. Harrington also reportedly said the same thing.
The items recovered from the SUV totaled $87.44 in worth and included two clear backpacks, two packs of underwear, two throw blankets, two makeup kits, another pack of socks, and a box of ice cream sandwiches. Additionally, two figurines were found in Lopez’s pants when he was searched.
When the trio was advised the rest of the car would be searched as well, Harrington informed the officer of the syringes loaded with meth and showed where they were located.
According to Pima Police Chief Diane Cauthen, the Pima Police Department had just received a request from the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office to locate Harrington as part of its investigation into possible sexual abuse of a minor case involving the same children he was allegedly stealing birthday gifts for.
Harrington was then transported to the jail and booked on charges of trafficking in stolen property, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and for his warrants; Lopez was booked in on a warrant and trafficking in stolen property, and McNair was booked on a charge of trafficking in stolen property. The SUV, which reportedly belonged to McNair’s family member, was towed from the scene.
