Thrift-store theft leads to multiple drug charges

A Big Arm man is accused of possessing multiple drugs, being charged as such, and then missing court appearances on those charges. Randal Joseph Grant, 47, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court June 20 to three separate counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and bail jumping, all felonies.

According to court records, on Dec. 5, 2021, Polson Police responded to a report of two men in an orange Dodge Charger stealing bags of donated items from the donation box at a thrift store in Polson. The responding officer located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Grant was a passenger in the vehicle while Grant’s father was driving. Both allegedly admitted to stealing items from the thrift store’s donation box. During a pat down of the younger Grant, the officer located suspected methamphetamine, heroin, hydrocodone, suspected LSD and suspected fentanyl.

Grant entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court Jan. 20, 2021, to another count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The charge stems from a traffic stop April 3, 2021 where Grant was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial Oct. 28. Grant remains in the Lake County jail with bond totaling $65,000.