Man accused of drug trafficking, fleeing from police

An Elyria man is facing charges of trafficking in drugs Sept. 22.

Ronnie A. Smith, 23, was charged with trafficking drugs and possession of heroin, both firstdegree felonies, driving under suspension, a firstdegree misdemeanor, obstructing official business and resisting arrest, both second-degree misdemeanors, and turning signal and possession of marijuana, both minor misdemeanors, according to an Elyria police report.

Officers observed Smith at 8:25 p.m. moving to the right lane of traffic without using a turn signal while traveling south on Tillotson Street.

Police discovered he had a warrant through Sheffield Village and stopped the car, the report said.

While police attempted to handcuff Smith, he pulled away and ran south toward the parking lot at 4900 Midway Mall, according to the report.

Smith jumped the fence, located in the parking lot, twice before the pursuing officer was able to get him to the ground using a stun gun, the report said.

He attempted to get up to run again, but the officer struck him in both the left and right calves with a baton which allowed the officers to handcuff him, according to the report.

During a search of Smith’s vehicle, officers found 47 pills with traces of both cocaine and fentanyl, and 2.5 grams of marijuana, the report said.

Smith, who is being held at Lorain County Jail on a $50,000 bond, must appear at 2 p.m. Oct. 2 before Elyria Municipal Court Judge Gary C. Bennett.

Smith