Staff Report
Amanda Nadene Perkins
Gage Allen Waddle
WARSAW — Two people were arrested after officers responded to a theft report and discovered drugs.
Amanda Nadene Perkins, 32, 1470 E. 550S, Warsaw, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; possession of a legend drug, a level 6 felony; theft, a class A misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, a level 3 felony.
Gage Allen Waddle, 22, 404 N. High St., Silver Lake, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and theft with a prior conviction, both level 6 felonies; and theft, a class A misdemeanor.
On Nov. 4, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a theft in progress at Walgreens in Warsaw. County dispatch informed the officer that two suspects were still inside the store. An employee said they were watching the suspects on camera and saw one of the suspects place items into their bag.
A few minutes later, Waddle, who was identified as one of the suspects, left the store. Waddle told the officer that he and Perkins were in the store and took property from Walgreens. Upon searching Waddle’s person, officers found merchandise valued under $10. Waddle said he stole the items from the store.
According to court documents, officers learned Waddle also had an active arrest warrant out of Kosciusko County. As he was being placed into a patrol car, Waddle started to appear under the influence of something and was in and out of consciousness.
When asked if he was under the influence, Waddle told officers that he had used heroin before going into Walgreens. Waddle was then taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Medical personnel said Waddle told them he had swallowed methamphetamine. Once in the emergency room, Waddle threw up a small bag containing methamphetamine. He said he had swallowed two bags.
Waddle said he swallowed a larger bag of methamphetamine with about 14 grams inside. The bag Waddle threw up contained about 6.5 grams of methamphetamine and appeared to burst open inside of Waddle’s stomach. Waddle was admitted for further evaluation.
Two Warsaw Police officers then spoke with Perkins about the theft. Perkins also admitted to stealing items from Walgreens.
While searching her bag, officers found about $74 worth of stolen items in Perkins’ purse. They also found 21.7 grams of methamphetamine and one pill bottle containing 15 Clonazepam pills.
One officer found a red digital scale with smaller plastic bags that Perkins said she used for dealing methamphetamine.
Perkins was previously convicted of dealing in methamphetamine in November 2017.
Waddle was previously convicted of theft in Marshall County in August 2021.
Perkins was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Jan. 7, 2022, with a $25,250 surety and cash bond.
Waddle has a pretrial conference for this case at 3 p.m. Feb. 7.