ELYRIA — An Amherst man was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence and felony drug possession following a late-night traffic stop in Elyria, according to Elyria Police and Lorain County Jail records.
Police said Jose Antonio Mendez Jr., 52, was stopped around 10:56 p.m. May 5 near West River Road and Erie Street after an officer allegedly observed a vehicle traveling without headlights and crossing the center line multiple times.
According to the police report, officers observed signs of possible impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and the odor of alcohol coming from Mendez. Police said Mendez refused to submit to a breath test.
During an inventory search of the vehicle, police said officers located a bag containing approximately 7.9 grams of suspected cocaine.
Lorain County Jail records show Mendez was booked into the jail early May 6 on charges of OVI, possession of a controlled substance and a right-of-way violation. Jail records classify the possession charge as a fifth-degree felony.
