COVINGTON AREA — Two people were arrested after a shoplifting investigation led St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s deputies to a residence near Covington, where they seized methamphetamine and three firearms, the Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
The investigation began Saturday, August 8, after a man was reportedly observed swapping product tags while checking out at a Covington-area home improvement store. Deputies identified the man as Garrett Boucvalt and obtained an arrest warrant alleging unlawful acts involving receipts and Universal Product Code labels.
On Sunday, the patrol deputy who handled the original complaint went to a residence in the 800 block of Heather Hollow near Covington with a search warrant to look for Boucvalt and the stolen property, according to STPSO.
Deputies reported finding a rifle, shotgun, pistol, methamphetamine and unlabeled prescription bottles inside the home. STPSO said Boucvalt was located hiding in a locked bedroom closet and taken into custody.
Boucvalt was booked on the shoplifting-related warrant, three counts of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery, possession of a firearm while possessing a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II methamphetamine and two counts of contempt of court.
STPSO said Stefanie Wright was also at the residence and was arrested after deputies determined she had helped Boucvalt conceal himself in the closet. Wright was booked on one count of obstruction of justice, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of Schedule II methamphetamine and four counts of possession of a legend drug.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Boucvalt and Wright are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.