Woman charged with drug items found in police cruiser

A 39-year-old Lorain woman accused of leaving a burnt metal spoon and hypodermic syringe in the back seat of a Lorain police cruiser Feb. 26 is facing at least two felony charges, according to Lorain police report.

Misty M. Kocak, who lives on West Erie Avenue, was charged with felony tampering with evidence, felony possession of heroin, possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kocak also had an active warrant through the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office and was released to their custody, the report said.

About 11:34 p.m., Lorain police officers responded to the 1300 block of West 44th Street for reports of a suspicious female knocking on doors and telling homeowners she was lost.

Upon arrival in the area, officers located Kocak walking in the area of Oberlin Avenue and Parkway Drive, according to the report.

Officers recognized Kocak and were aware of her warrant, which was confirmed before she was placed under arrest. Officers checked Kocak’s pockets for weapons and/ or contraband and nothing was located.

After meeting a sheriff’s deputy and securing Kocak in the deputy’s patrol vehicle, the Lorain officer checked the back seat of his cruiser and located a burnt metal spoon and a hypodermic needle, the report said. When Kocak was questioned about the items, she denied the items were hers and claimed to have no other contraband on her person.

In the report, the officer explained how he checks the back seat of his cruiser before every shift and after every transport, so he was confident the found contraband was Kocak’s.

Upon testing the tan/ grayish residue and cotton-like material on the spoon, it tested positive for the presence of opiates, the report said.

The recovered syringe was empty with the plunger pushed all the way forward, the report said.

Lorain County Jail records show Kocak was set to appear in Lorain Municipal Court on Feb. 27.