Three people were arrested on suspicion of heroin possession and two others were arrested on warrants Sunday night stemming from a Richland police investigation into reports of reckless driving.
Police first encountered Taunya F. Diedrich, 39, of Moon Lake, on Saturday night after an officer reported seeing her commit several traffic infractions near Columbia Center Boulevard. A search of her purse reportedly turned up drug paraphernalia and traces of “”probable heroin,”” police said.
Diedrich was booked on suspicion of heroin possession, while Skyler Todd, 25, of Loon Lake, a passenger in her vehicle, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Another passenger, Sean Eddings, 24, of Kettle Falls, was believed to be linked to another bag containing drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin that police found when searching the car.
Eddings was released at the scene but arrested on suspicion of heroin possession on Sunday after a resident of Hills Mobile Home Park off Queensgate Drive in south Richland reported a reckless driver, police said.
The Richland officer who responded to the call at 7:11 p.m. Sunday believed the car description matched Diedrich’s vehicle from the Saturday incident and traced it to a home in the park, police said.
At the home on Valleyview Circle, the officer talked to Mary Voelkl, 59, of Richland, and reportedly could see drug paraphernalia on a table inside. When he asked Voelkl about it, she slammed the door.
Police said officers talked Voelkl into reopening the door several minutes later, and arrested her on suspicion of heroin possession after getting a warrant and searching the home.
Another occupant, Kristina Franseen, 23, of Hermiston, was arrested on outstanding warrants.
While police were at the home, Eddings reportedly drove up in the vehicle described in the reckless driving report. He was arrested after he was found with probable heroin and drug paraphernalia.