Exclusive: Forest City Police Arrest Spindale Woman Over Suspected Fentanyl

A Spindale woman was arrested at the Mighty Dollar store in Forest City after an alleged struggle with police, according to court documents obtained by WCAB News.

The magistrate’s order lists Chelsea Santiz, of Spindale, facing three charges — one felony and two misdemeanors. Officer Laura Hartline of the Forest City Police Department is listed as the arresting officer.

According to the order, Santiz is charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance after allegedly possessing fentanyl “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously.”

She also faces a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge. Court documents state she “knowingly possessed a cut straw with white residue and a clear plastic baggie to package or introduce into the body a controlled substance other than marijuana.”

A third count, resisting a public officer, alleges that Santiz “physically resisted Officer Hartline from taking suspected narcotics from her fisted hand” while Hartline was attempting to perform her duties.

The incident occurred on October 12, according to court filings, and she has her first court appearance on October 13. She is currently being held without bond due to previous charges in Rutherfordton and Gastonia, in accordance with the Pre-trial Integrity Act, according to court records.