On September 6, 2025, at approximately 2:32 P.M., officers of the Austin Police Department were dispatched to the area of 41 Avenue NE and 4 th Street NE in the City of Austin, County of Mower, for a welfare check. The reporting party advised that CARLENA CHAVON THOMAS, DOB/052082, the defendant herein, was talking to herself, flailing her arms, and yelling at passerby's. Officer Hullopeter arrived in the area and located the defendant in the 100 block of Avenue NE. The defendant was walking a bicycle across the street.
Hullopeter observed her to be emotional and crying; and had a difficult time walking. While speaking with the officers, the defendant would not stand still and had constant arm, leg, and head movement. Based on their observations, officers believed the defendant to be under the influence of a controlled substance. While speaking with the defendant, Officer Hullopeter observed that the Red Trek bicycle the defendant had, resembled a bike that was reported stolen the day prior, including a lock wrapped around the handlebars.
When asked about the bike, the defendant claimed to have borrowed it. Hullopeter obtained the code for the bike lock and used it to open the lock. Hullopeter was later advised the serial number for the stolen bike and confirmed it was the same bike in the defendant's possession, Law enforcement learned the defendant was on probation with Mower County Correctional Service. The defendant's agent was contacted who requested the defendant be held for a probation violation. The defendant was placed under arrest.
During the search of the defendant, Officer Hullopeter located multiple pieces of empty or burnt tin foil in her pockets. In the defendant's right coin pocket, Hullopeter located a larger rolled tin foil that contained a white powdery substance (later weighed 0.3 grams). Officers also located multiple counterfeit $5 bills inside the defendant's left back pocket. Officer Hullopeter contacted the owner of the stolen bicycle and was provided with a receipt showing the value of the bike to be $560.23. A review of the defendant's criminal history reflects prior convictions for gross misdemeanor Financial Transaction Card Fraud dated January 6, 2023 (Mower County District Court file ••-CR-••-••••) and a conviction for 5th degree drugs dated July 28, 2025 (Mower County District Court file ••-CR-••-••••).
