Possible burglary ends in drug arrests

COLFAX – Whitman County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call of a possible burglary at a residence north of Colfax on SR 195 May 24, at approximately 8 p.m. A woman and man were seen by the RP at a neighbor’s house walking around and trying the door, but left when confronted by the RP's husband.

While enroute deputies observed a northbound vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. Deputies stopped the vehicle near McMeekin Road on SR 195 and made contact with the driver and passenger who both admitted to being in the driveway at the residence on SR 195, yet claimed they were trying to ask for directions, according to the police report.

While speaking with the driver, Chastity Smith, 42, of Auburn, deputies observed what looked like a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine inside the vehicle. As deputies investigated further, they learned the passenger, Robert Robbins, 34, also of Auburn, had an active arrest warrant from DOC for Escape from Community Custody. During the conversation, Smith gave a wrong name for Robbins. Robbins confessed he did not want to give his name because of the DOC warrant.

Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant to search the vehicle for illegal narcotics. Several grams of packaged heroin, methamphetamine and suboxone were discovered during the search. Deputies also located numerous driver’s licenses, social security cards, bank checks and other items of identification belonging to individuals other than Smith or Robbins.

Smith and Robbins were booked into the Whitman County Jail. Both were charged with possession of heroin, methadone, methamphetamine and suboxone and identity theft. Smith faces additional charges of criminal trespass and obstruction of law enforcement. Smith and Robbins each have criminal records with more than 20 felony convictions including drugs and identity theft, according to reports.

Deputies will now work to make contact with people who may be the victims of identity theft related to some of the items discovered during the investigation which is ongoing at this time.