A Lorain man was arrested early Monday morning in Vermilion after officers say he attempted to hide suspected drugs during a traffic stop.
According to a report from the Vermilion Police Department, Sgt. Leo Chandler initiated a stop on Liberty Avenue around 3:45 a.m. for a vehicle traveling 55 mph in a 40 mph zone. The traffic stop occurred in the parking lot of Key Bank.
During the stop, officers observed what they described as unusual behavior from the driver, later identified as David Izquierdo, 56, including appearing nervous, moving around inside the vehicle, and shouting while seated.
Additional officers responded to the scene, including a K-9 unit. As officers prepared to conduct a K-9 sniff of the vehicle, police say Izquierdo exited the car holding something in his hand and then quickly put it in his mouth. Officers restrained him on the hood of the vehicle and ordered him to spit the item out.
According to the report, Izquierdo eventually spit out a plastic baggie containing a white rock-like substance. Officers stated that the substance field-tested positive for crack cocaine using a Mobile Detect Kit.
Izquierdo was charged with:
- Tampering with evidence (ORC 2921.12A1) – a felony
- Possession of drugs (V624.03AC3) – a minor misdemeanor
- Speeding (V434.03) – a minor misdemeanor
He was transported to Erie County Jail with no bond and is scheduled to appear in Vermilion Municipal Court on August 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Police noted that the incident was captured on body-worn cameras and that standard testing procedures for the radar unit were performed and verified during the shift.