Police say Worthington woman was hiding behind a dumpster smoking a joint

A Worthington woman is accused of having “weed” in her bra and syringes with meth residue in her purse while hiding behind a dumpster to smoke a joint uptown in Worthington last Saturday night.

Danielle Franich

Danielle Lee Franich, 30, of Worthington, was arrested by Deputy Marshal James T. Harrington of the Worthington Police Department then booked in to the Greene County Jail at 9:18 p.m. on Saturday, October 6. She was in court today.

Officer Harrington was on duty last Saturday around 8:45 p.m. when he was advised there was a woman with blonde hair in a ponytail, wearing blue jeans, carrying a white purse, who was acting strangely. He was told the woman was avoiding eye contact with people and attempting to hide beside the dumpster behind the American Legion.

When he arrived at the Legion around 8:48 p.m., he found Franich sitting beside the dumpster and he said he smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. Harrington said she first denied she was smoking marijuana then did admit to it and said what was left was on the ground where she was sitting.

Harrington reported when Franich opened her purse and reached inside it, he told her to not get into the purse and to place it on the hood of his vehicle but she failed to comply. He took possession of the purse and Franich was handcuffed.

Due to the smell of marijuana, the purse was searched for weapons and contraband and he reported finding two used syringes and a smoking device made from aluminum foil that contained burnt residue.

Once seated in the patrol vehicle, Franich allegedly told the officer she had “weed” in her bra. After she was transported and arrived at the Greene County Jail, a female jail officer allegedly recovered a baggie of marijuana from Franich’s bra.

Harrington said the residue from both syringes was field tested by GCSD Det. Shawn Cullison who said both tested positive as methamphetamine.

Franich was booked in and held without bond pending an appearance in court.

During an initial hearing in Greene Superior Court this morning, Thursday, October 11, Franich was charged with unlawful possession of a syringe – a Level 6 felony, possession of methamphetamine – a Level 6 felony, possession of marijuana – a Class B misdemeanor, and possession of paraphernalia – a Class C misdemeanor.

Her bond was set at $9,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, she had not yet posted bond and was still in jail.