A Hillsboro woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly throwing a needle from a vehicle.

According to an affidavit filed with the Hillsboro Municipal Court, an officer with the Leesburg Police Department was traveling through the parking lot of the 1st Stop on Saturday when he noticed “a female getting ready to get into her car.”

The affidavit added that female – later identified as Renee Willey, 26 – “headed back toward the store, trying to avoid eye contact” when she saw the officer.

The affidavit stated that the officer then determined that Willey, the registered owner of the vehicle, “was suspended.”

The officer reported that Willey later got into the driver’s seat. He added that when Willey “saw that (the officer) was pulling over the vehicle, she tossed an elongated object out the window into the grass on her side of the vehicle,” as stated in the affidavit.

She allegedly said the item was a piece of paper.

The officer reported “walk(ing) over to investigate … and notic(ing) a needle on top of the grass,” according to the affidavit.

Willey was placed into investigative custody. When a Highland County Sheriff’s Office deputy later arrived on the scene as backup, Willey allegedly told him that “she did throw a needle that contained a capsule of heroin,” the affidavit stated.

She was taken into custody. The affidavit added that Willey “was advised that there are charges for possession of heroin pending the lab results from BCI.”

On Monday, Willey appeared in municipal court on a charge of third-degree felony tampering with evidence. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.

Her bond is set at $5,000, according to court records. While her case is pending, Willey is ordered to have no contact with reportedly involved parties.

If Willey posts her bond, she must observe a curfew, report to the probation department, and “enroll in substance abuse counseling immediately,” records stated.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.