ST. LOUIS (CN) - A Wal-Mart was evacuated after a shoplifter was found with methamphetamine cooking inside her purse, police said.
When store security guards caught the 32-year-old woman shoplifting, they found the mixture, known as a one-pot batch, in a 20-ounce plastic soda bottle in her purse, police said.
The store in south St. Louis County was evacuated around 6:15 p.m. Thursday because of the dangerous chemicals in the bottle. The store reopened later that night.
The woman and a 37-year-old man were arrested. Police have not released their names because charges have not been filed.
Police said the woman tried to steal cosmetics and a purse, but did not appear to be trying to steal ingredients to make illegal drugs. The bottle was found in her own purse, not in the one she tried to steal, police said.
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