Three Memphis, Tenn. residents were arrested in Belpre on Saturday for allegedly filling fake prescriptions at an array of local pharmacies.
"The Belpre Police received a call from the security department at Kroger," said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.
Because they were dealing with multiple suspects who were targeting multiple locations, the Belpre Police Department called in the Washington County Sheriff's Department and the Major Crimes Task Force to assist.
"This was another great example of cooperation between these three divisions," said Mincks.
The Belpre Police Department located the suspects' vehicle and identified the suspects near the Fruth Pharmacy in Belpre.
Together the three departments arrested the three out of town suspects, said Mincks.
Mario L. Reed, 28, of 2851 Montague St., Memphis, Tenn., was the driver of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 180 Lortab pills, six times the bulk amount, concealed in a hidden compartment and numerous papers and receipts.
Reed was charged with 16 fifth-degree felony counts of illegal processing of drug documents, one fourth-degree felony count of complicity, one third-degree felony count of tampering with drugs and one third-degree felony count of possession of drugs.
Reed's bond is set at $500,000.
Another passenger in the vehicle, Nickolas Q. Pruitt, 29, of 2821 Redbud Circle, Memphis, was identified by the Fruth's employees as having had a fake prescription.
Pruitt was charged with two fifth-degree felony counts of illegal processing of drug documents and one fourth-degree felony count of complicity. His bond is set at $150,000.
A third suspect, Felicia A. Bryant, 34, of Memphis, was found nearby. She had just filled a Lortab prescription in another woman's name and had yet another woman's name on a prescription in her purse.
The officers also found 180 Lortab pills and a small amount of cocaine in Bryant's purse. Bryant was charged with one fifth-degree felony count of possession of drugs for the cocaine, one fifth-degree felony count of illegal processing of drug documents, one fourth-degree felony count of obtaining a dangerous drug by deception and one third-degree felony count of possession of drugs for the Lortab pills. Bryant's bond is set at $500,000.
All three suspects remain in the Washington County Jail in lieu of bond. Mincks said the bonds are high due to the number of charges and the suspects being from out of the area.
