ALPENA COUNTY (WWJ) - A 59-year-old man was arrested by authorities after a small plastic baggie containing cocaine was left behind when he paid for items at an Alpena Walmart.
Michigan State Police said they were called out to the store o M-32 in Alpena Township just before 5:30 p.m. on April 2 after workers reported "a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance found at the self-checkout."
Laboratory testing conducted on the substance revealed it was cocaine, troopers added.
After reviewing surveillance footage, authorities said the small baggie of drugs fell out of a male costumer's pocket as he pulled his wallet out to pay at the self-checkout counter.
According to troopers, the man seemed unaware that he dropped the baggie, and left the store with his purchased items.
The man was later identified as 59-year-old Robert James Gerald Centala of Alpena. Troopers interviewed Centala at his home the next day and a report was submitted to the Alpena County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
An arrest warrant was authorized on May 1 and Centala turned himself in at the Alpena County Jail on May 2.
Centala was arraigned in the 88th District Court in Alpena County on for one count of possession of cocaine less than 25 grams. He was given a $2,500 10% cash bond.
He is due back in court on May 23 at 2:30 p.m.