The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Pair of residents face multiple charges after traffic stop
Two Lorain residents are facing a numerous charges stemming from a Jan. 6 traffic stop, according to a police report.
According to the report: At 10:28 p.m. on Jan. 6 a Lorain police officer initiated a traffic stop at the corner of East 28th Street and Apple Avenue after observing a silver 2004 Honda Accord run a stop light. After approaching the vehicle the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and the male driver was unable to produce a driver’s license or proof of insurance.
The driver identified as Jose Mercado, 38, of Lorain, was instructed to exit the vehicle and he was observed to have bloodshot eyes and poor balance. Police also noted Mercado’s slurred speech and his difficulty in relaying
his address.
Following field sobriety tests, Mercado was placed under arrest. While being placed in the back of the police cruiser Mercado became disorderly and repeatedly accused the officer of racism.
Mercado is charged with OVI, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and driving without an operator’s license. He is currently being held in the Lorain County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Lorain Municipal Court on Jan. 16 for a pre-trial hearing.
The owner of the vehicle identified as Barbara Acevedo-Molina, 32, of Lorain, was seated in the front passenger seat, the report stated.
Police noted Molina was also highly intoxicated and did not understand English. When officers informed her that her car had to be towed, she responded, “My car is my car. My car no moving and began refusing police instructions to exit the vehicle and had to be physically removed from the vehicle, the report said.
Acevedo-Molina is charged with obstructing official business, resisting arrest, wrongful entrustment of a motor vehicle and two counts of disorderly conduct. She was transported to the Lorain County Jail and will appear in Lorain Municipal Court on Jan. 22.