A Lehighton woman has been charged with stealing a vehicle after police found her unconscious behind the wheel on Monday.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Bruce Broyles of the Lehighton Borough Police Department:

At around 8:30 a.m. Monday, Mahoning Township Police Department asked Lehighton Borough Police to assist in trying to locate a blue Nissan Maxima reported missing.

The vehicle fitting the description was seen near the borough pool with an unconscious woman in the driver seat.

Broyles located the vehicle and found Shannon Rischow, 28, in the driver seat and unconscious while holding folded up cash. Broyles attempted numerous times to wake up Rischow by knocking on the window and door.

Broyles forced entry into the car via the passenger side window, which awakened Rischow, who was immediately irritated.

Rischow was taken into custody and transported to Lehighton Borough Police Department.

Broyles requested Rischow submit to a drug influence evaluation, which she agreed to.

Throughout the evaluation, Rischow admitted to recently using about three bags of fentanyl, 14 jars of crack, and 6 milligrams of Xanax.

Rischow refused to provide a written statement, but did submit to a blood test at St. Luke’s Carbon Campus, where numerous blood draws were attempted.

Broyles was advised by staff they were unable to find a suitable vein. Rischow stated that she was “poked” enough and did not wish to be subjected to more needles.

Rischow refused to submit to a urine sample.

Rischow has been charged with receiving stolen property (motor vehicle), DUI, and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.

She is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 monetary bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Eric M. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe.