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Mobile meth lab found in van in Wal-Mart lot

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A call about a shoplifter led police to a mobile meth lab in the parking lot of an Alliance Wal-Mart Thursday.

Alliance police were called to the Wal-Mart on West State Street around 7 p.m. for a report of a shoplifter.

After police determined that the alleged shoplifter had active warrants for failure to appear in court and cruelty to a child, officers learned she also used her license to purchase pseudoephedrine, believed to be for the purpose of making meth. 

Police said the woman, identified as Leslie Whitlatch, also appeared to be under the influence of meth as she was being arrested.

While searching the car, police found a black bag containing a burnt glass tube, short straws with residue, a used syringe, q-tips and a container with residue inside Whitlatch's purse, according to a police report.

A pipe cutter and coffee filters were also found in the car. According to police, those items are commonly used in the manufacture of meth. 

A large trash bag in the back of the van contained two "one-pot" meth labs, according to the police report.

Whitlatch was charged with manufacturing meth, illegal assembly of chemicals to manufacture meth, possession of criminal tools, theft, possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

She was transported to the Stark County Jail.