A 47-year-old woman was arrested early Friday morning after Webster City Police Canine Officer Moab alerted other officers to the potential presence of drugs in her vehicle.

Doreen Dykhuizen, whose address was not available, was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first offense; fifth-degree theft; and possession of an offensive weapon with a controlled substance.

Officers were dispatched to the area of Casey’s General Store on Superior Street in Webster City about 2:30 a.m. for a report of a suspicious person, Police Chief Shiloh Mork said in a media release.

“The reporting party stated a female had been in a vehicle for the last two to three hours and the female appeared to be sleeping. Officers arrived on scene and located a red Jeep parked in the lot with the engine running.

“Officers made contact with the woman in the vehicle, who was identified as Doreen Dykhuizen. Dykhuizen told officers she was waiting for a friend to arrive. Dykhuizen was asked for consent to have K9 Moab walk around the vehicle and she consented. K9 Moab was deployed and gave a positive alert on the driver’s side door of the Jeep.

“A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a baggy with a white powdery substance, and a second baggy containing a white ‘rock’ consistent with a controlled substance. Also found was a .32-caliber Derringer pistol. The pistol was found to have been reported stolen from Fort Dodge.”

Mork said, “This is yet another example of the valuable work done by our K9 team and officers to combat drugs and guns on our streets. The Police K9 program is funded solely by donations, without the support of our community this valuable resource would not be available.

“The police department has several new initiatives in place to combat drugs and violence in our community. If you are involved in these activities, we’re coming for you.”