A Bloomfield woman was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly stealing a purse, medication and other items.

Bloomfield Town Marshal Kenneth Tharp arrested 41-year-old Kathleen Preece on March 31. She faces preliminary charges of burglary of a dwelling, theft with a prior conviction, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of a Schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance.

Tharp responded to a report of burglary and theft at a Bloomfield residence on March 31. The reporting party alleged that Preece stole a cellphone, two over-the-door clothing hooks and possibly medication while the resident was asleep. She told Tharp she woke up to find Preece inside the residence without permission. A witness who arrived at the home to visit the reporting party said she saw Preece going through a cabinet between a chair and a couch.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Tharp went to Preece’s residence to speak with her. When she answered the door, she was holding three purses and a backpack. Preece claimed she had been at her neighbor’s home to use the phone and forgot to return it. The phone was later found among her belongings.

During a search incident to arrest, Tharp and Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Harvey Holt found several hypodermic syringes in the pocket of the hoodie Preece was wearing. A plastic bag corner containing a white substance was also found and later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.

The reporting party also informed Tharp that electricity had been turned off at Preece’s residence, but that a man had manipulated the electric meter to restore power. A search warrant was requested and granted.

Before executing the warrant, Tharp contacted Duke Energy to inspect the meter. A lineman determined that the lock had been cut, a security wire had been manipulated through the cut lock, the meter face had been removed, and two metal rods had been inserted into the meter base to supply power. According to the affidavit, the tampering was disguised by covering the meter tabs with Old Navy stickers and replacing the meter head, front cover and security seal to make it appear intact.

During the search of Preece’s residence, officers located four hydrocodone tablets believed to have been stolen, two over-the-door clothing hooks, and an unopened prescription bottle of Vraylar prescribed to someone else. An empty prescription bottle of oxycodone, also prescribed to another individual, was also found. Additional items discovered included three digital scales with white residue, a hypodermic needle, an iodine swab, and a broken glass pipe with burnt residue.

Preece appeared via video in Greene County Circuit Court on April 2 for an initial hearing. She was initially held without bond. During the hearing, her bond was set at $50,000 surety, with 10% cash allowed.

On April 3, Preece filed a motion to reduce bond. A bail review hearing was scheduled for April 23.