A conversation with a man sitting inside a parked vehicle turned into considerably more than an Idaho deputy might have expected on a Friday morning. The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office says the encounter ended with a stolen vehicle discovery and felony possession charges involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Adderall.
The encounter began at approximately 7:30 a.m. on September 12 when an Idaho County deputy approached a male subject parked along Main Street in Riggins. The sheriff’s office described the initial interaction between the deputy and the driver as consensual.
While standing outside the vehicle and speaking with the driver, the deputy noticed what authorities described as drug paraphernalia sitting in plain view. That observation led to a search, although the sheriff’s office did not specify what type of paraphernalia initially caught the deputy’s attention.
The driver was eventually identified as 45-year-old Randy Allen Heintz of Spokane, Washington. Deputies also determined that the vehicle Heintz had been sitting inside had been stolen from Spokane.
Search Leads to 3 Different Felony Drug Charges
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The sheriff’s office says its investigation resulted in Heintz being arrested on felony possession charges involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Adderall. Authorities did not disclose the amount of any of the substances they say were recovered during the search.
Heintz additionally faces misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Deputies also arrested him on an outstanding misdemeanor failure to appear warrant.
The discovery that the vehicle had been stolen resulted in a felony grand theft by possession of stolen property charge. The sheriff’s office did not provide additional information about when or how the vehicle was stolen in Spokane or how long Heintz is accused of possessing it.
Morning Encounter Ends With Heintz in Idaho County Jail
Custody records show Heintz was booked into the Idaho County Jail at approximately 9:39 a.m. on September 12. A custody status update recorded just minutes later listed the 45-year-old as remaining in custody at the facility.
The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest reflects its commitment to addressing drug possession, which it says endangers public safety in the county. No bond amount or upcoming court date was included in the information provided following Heintz’s arrest.
What started with a deputy speaking to someone parked on Main Street ultimately produced three felony drug charges, a stolen-property charge, two additional drug-related misdemeanors, and an arrest on an outstanding warrant.
The charges against Heintz remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.