ELYRIA — A Lorain woman is facing a felony cocaine charge after Elyria police said a traffic stop near Griswold Road and Lorain Boulevard led officers to suspected drugs, pills and drug paraphernalia.
Jennifer C. Vargas, 41, of Lorain, was arrested Friday, May 15, after officers said she gave police false identifying information during the stop.
According to an Elyria police report, an officer was monitoring traffic from the parking lot of Denny’s on Tillotson Street around 1:43 p.m. when he saw a black 2004 Kia sedan leave the Marc’s parking lot on Midway Boulevard. Police said the vehicle had its hazard lights on, turned onto Griswold Road and failed to turn into the nearest lane. The officer stopped the vehicle near Griswold Road and state Route 57
Police Say Vargas Gave False Name
During the stop, police said Vargas was a passenger in the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt. When an officer asked for her driver’s license, Vargas allegedly said she did not have one.
The report says Vargas later gave officers the name “Carmen Milagros Mclucas” and said her driver’s license was from Texas. Police said they were unable to locate anyone with that name.
According to the report, Vargas later gave another version of her name before eventually providing her real name and date of birth. Police said she was then placed in handcuffs for allegedly lying about her identity.
The driver was also asked to step out of the vehicle during the stop. According to the report, as he exited, a beer fell from the vehicle and was placed in the door. Police said the driver later gave consent to search the vehicle, where officers found a partially full beer can and another empty beer can.
Items Found in Purse
After Vargas was taken into custody, officers searched her purse and said they found an EBT card containing her information.
Police reported finding a white rock substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. Officers also reported finding suspected quetiapine fumarate pills, suspected gabapentin pills, two broken glass pipes with suspected drug residue, a red straw with suspected drug residue and a cigarette pack with suspected drug residue.
The report noted that the broken glass pipes were found inside the cigarette pack.
Vargas was charged through the police report with possession of cocaine, possession of dangerous drugs, obstructing official business and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lorain County Jail records later listed Vargas as being booked at 4:16 p.m. May 15 on charges including possession of drugs, obstructing official business, drug paraphernalia, a dangerous-drug-related charge, contempt of court and a bench warrant. The jail record listed her total bond at $6,500 and showed court dates beginning May 18 in Elyria Municipal Court.
All charges are accusations. Vargas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
