ELYRIA — A Pennsylvania man was arrested early March 27 following a drug investigation at a hotel on Midway Boulevard, according to police and court records.
Frank Nicholas, 41, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody at the Sycamore Suites, located at 621 Midway Blvd., after officers conducted an investigation that began shortly after 1 a.m.
According to the police report, officers were assigned to patrol the area as part of efforts to combat drug activity. While on patrol, an officer observed a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette backed into a parking space at the hotel with its engine running and lights on, behavior officers noted is sometimes used to avoid license plate detection.
When officers approached the vehicle, Nicholas initially identified himself under a different name before later admitting his true identity. Police said a records check showed the vehicle was registered to an elderly man in Pennsylvania, and officers suspected Nicholas was attempting to conceal his identity due to a possible warrant.
Nicholas told officers he was traveling to Chicago and gave inconsistent statements about his reason for being in the area. Officers noted he appeared nervous and was repeatedly moving during the interaction.
Police said Nicholas consented to a search of the vehicle, where officers located suspected drug paraphernalia and a black bag in the trunk. Inside the vehicle and bag, officers reported finding:
- Approximately $11,700 in cash
- 157 savings bonds totaling $15,700
- Multiple luxury watches and jewelry items
- Personal identification documents and financial cards
- A duffel bag with miscellaneous items
Officers also reported locating suspected narcotics, including methamphetamine and cocaine, packaged in multiple small baggies. A field test conducted at the scene indicated a positive result for methamphetamine.
During the investigation, officers said Nicholas admitted there was a firearm inside the hotel room. Police later recovered a .36 caliber handgun from the room and additional suspected narcotics, including more methamphetamine and cocaine.
According to the report, officers seized:
- Multiple baggies containing suspected methamphetamine
- A small amount of suspected cocaine
- Currency with drug residue
- Drug paraphernalia
- A firearm
Nicholas was arrested at approximately 2:30 a.m. and transported to the Lorain County Jail.
Court records show Nicholas is facing multiple felony charges, including trafficking in drugs (F3), possession of a controlled substance (F4), and possession of cocaine (F5), along with misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business and drug paraphernalia possession.
A judge set bond at $32,500 cash or surety on the felony charges. A separate personal bond of $1,000 was set on the misdemeanor charges.
Nicholas appeared for arraignment March 30 in Elyria Municipal Court. He is scheduled to appear next for a preliminary hearing on March 31 at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom B before Judge Gary C. Bennett.
It is not known at this time whether additional charges may be filed or if any of the seized property is connected to other investigations.
As with all cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.