Possible Drugs, Needles Found In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — Two suspicious vehicles in the parking lot of a Westlake bank drew the suspicion and attention of police on Thursday. Officers found powder, needles and other drug paraphernalia in one of the vehicles.

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, callers reported two suspicious cars at a bank on Detroit Road. Employees of the bank said they heard people in the cars possibly talking about a drug deal, according to Westlake police.

When officers arrived, the vehicles had driven off. However, police located one of the vehicles — a van — at Columbia and Detroit roads. A 41-year-old Cleveland woman was behind the wheel.

The woman seemed nervous, police said. She told officers she had met a friend at the bank to give him "newspapers." The woman then lied about her identity, police said.

After officers determined who the woman actually was, they discovered she had a warrant out for felony theft. She was taken into custody and officers then searched her van.

Police found powder, needles and other paraphernalia in the woman's possession.

The woman has been charged with possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with misidentification. Officers sent the powder to a laboratory for analysis.