Safford Police were dispatched to the area of Firth Park and Circle K on Highway 70 at approximately 1:00 PM on Friday in regard to a man running in and out of cars in the parking lot of Big O Tires. The man was described as a hispanic male, wearing a hoodie and carrying a blue purse. When an officer arrived on the scene, he saw the man running east on the south sidewalk toward Firth Park. The officer noted that he did not see a purse, but it appeared that the man was holding something under his coat. The officer recognized the man, identified as Anthony Montano, from previous law contact.
Montano ran into the Circle K on Highway 70 near Firth Park. The officer followed him in and was informed that Montano had gone into the restroom. The officer knocked on the restroom door and Montano immediately opened it and said, “What’s up?” He told the officer that he had to use the restroom really bad. The officer confirmed his identify and handcuffed him. Another officer walked Montano out of the store while the first officer checked the bathroom for anything Montano might have hidden. A records check confirmed that Montano had a misdemeanor warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia.
While searching Montano, authorities found a Budget Inn room key in his possession. The officer asked Montano why he didn’t use the restroom in his room at the motel since he ran passed it before ducking into Circle K. Montano responded that he should have but he wasn’t thinking.
Montano was found to be in possession of herion, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was booked in the Graham County Jail on the warrant with additional charges of possession of a narcotic, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of drug parapheranalia.
Police contacted the reporting party who described the purse Montano was allegedly carrying as a bright neon blue purse. Police walked the area from China Taste to the Budget Inn but were unsuccessful in locating a blue purse.