BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A Goose Creek woman accused of breaking into a Subway restaurant and stealing cash is now facing a stack of felony charges — including trying to smuggle cocaine into jail hidden inside her body, authorities said.
Taralynn Jean Earl, 37, was arrested Wednesday after Berkeley County deputies connected her to a reported burglary and vandalism at a Subway on Red Bank Road, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
The trouble started when a deputy on proactive patrol spotted a car on Old Back River Road that matched the description of a vehicle tied to the restaurant break-in. When the car was pulled over, deputies say Earl was behind the wheel — and already wanted on an active shoplifting warrant out of Mount Pleasant.
She was arrested on the warrant and also charged as a habitual traffic offender.
But the situation escalated once Earl was taken to jail.
According to the sheriff’s office, during her booking, officers discovered about 2.6 grams of cocaine concealed in her rectum. Investigators believe she intentionally hid the drugs in an attempt to sneak contraband into the detention center, adding another serious charge to the list.
Deputies later executed a search warrant at Earl’s Goose Creek home, where they say they found the stolen cash drawer taken during the Subway burglary. Investigators also reportedly recovered surveillance video showing Earl committing the break-in and later returning home with the drawer.
Earl is now charged with third-degree burglary, grand larceny involving more than $2,000, malicious injury to property, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, introducing contraband into a prison, and traffic-related offenses.
She remains behind bars at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center.
