Police were first called for loud party complaint
LORAIN — A Lorain woman was arrested early Saturday after police responding to a loud party complaint said they found methamphetamine, a glass pipe and oxycodone pills in a rental vehicle outside a home on Independence Drive, according to a Lorain Police Department report.
Melissa Barlow, 44, of Lorain, was arrested May 23 after officers were dispatched to a home on Independence Drive for a report of a loud party and disturbance. The caller reported several juveniles were at the party and that a disturbance was taking place outside, according to the report.
When officers arrived, they said they saw several teenagers in the front window of the home. Barlow told officers she was hosting a graduation party for her daughter.
Officers reported seeing multiple teenage subjects run from the backyard and hop fences into the neighborhood after police arrived. Officers told Barlow the party needed to be shut down while they were there.
Police say pipe was spotted in running SUV
As officers waited outside, police said they noticed a white 2025 Genesis SUV with New Jersey plates running and unoccupied in the road near the home. The vehicle was partially blocking the driveway and slightly on the curb, according to the report.
Police said officers looked inside the vehicle and saw a long glass pipe near the center console cup holder area. The pipe had white residue in the stem and a black tar-like substance in the ball of the pipe, which police said appeared consistent with use for narcotics such as crack cocaine or methamphetamine.
The vehicle was unlocked, and police said they searched it based on the pipe being in plain view.
Report says meth and oxycodone were found
During the search, officers reported finding a baggie containing a crystal-like substance in the center console. Police said the substance field tested positive for methamphetamine. The listed evidence in the report included 12 grams of methamphetamine and one glass methamphetamine pipe.
Officers also reported finding a small purse on the passenger seat. Inside the purse, police said they found a baggie containing white pills next to a wallet with Barlow’s driver’s license. The report identified the pills as oxycodone hydrochloride, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Police said Barlow later confirmed the rental vehicle was hers. She denied possessing the methamphetamine and pipe, but admitted the pills found in her purse “kinda” belonged to her and that she did not have a prescription for them, according to the report.
Barlow was arrested and taken to the Lorain County Jail. The report lists offenses including possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and an unattended vehicle violation. The report also states police submitted complaints and an affidavit in connection with the case.
A criminal charge is an accusation. Barlow is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in
