ELO officers make arrests at local motel
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EAST LIVERPOOL -- The city's "see something, say something" campaign is still working, as tips from the community led Tuesday to several arrests, including one at a local motel.
Officers reported a "good Samaritan" advised them at 8:32 a.m. that people were seen carrying an unresponsive male from room No. 6 at the Vista Motel then leaving in a gold-colored vehicle.
A short time later, the same vehicle returned to the motel without the unresponsive male in question, and Patrolman Chris Green reported seeing the vehicle coming back from the motel on West Eighth Street, traveling left of center on a double yellow line.
The vehicle was stopped, and the driver, Benny Ray Miley, 28, Cleveland, was found to have a suspended license. His front seat passenger, who officers identified as a known prostitute, said she was just catching a ride to the bridge, according to reports.
Miley told Green his friend had been unresponsive at the motel and he drove him to the hospital and was on his way back to get him when he was stopped.
During a pat-down search of Miley, Green found pill bottles in his jeans pocket and then reported feeling an abnormal object near his waistband, but Miley denied having anything in his possession.
He was transported to the police station, where a search turned up a large amount of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl as well as a large sum of money.
Officers reported that Miley had a key to the motel room but said he did not know who rented it or whose vehicle he was driving. The room was entered, and officers reported seeing in plain view a digital scale, several pinch-off bags and a marijuana blunt, all of which were bagged as evidence.
The vehicle's owner was found to be Kathryn Bailey, who told officers Miley was not supposed to have it. It was towed by First Class Towing.
Miley was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving under suspension and driving left of center.
In East Liverpool Municipal Court Tuesday, Miley had a July 20 pretrial scheduled on the charges, with $100,000 cash/surety bond set.
Although his financial disclosure form indicated he does have a job with Mr. Do It All, Miley was appointed a public defender. He was ordered to have no firearms, ammunition or illegal drugs in his possession.
Officer Green reported later Tuesday that the man originally seen being carried from the motel room was suffering a diabetic issue, not a drug overdose.
At 12:41 p.m., officers went to 345 Kinsey Ave. after being advised a person with outstanding warrants was there.
They found three people sleeping in the living room, including Zachery T. Browning, 25, Summerset Road, who was sleeping on the floor, who was known to have outstanding warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia, unsafe vehicle and a headlight violation.
Green knocked on a window, awakening a woman on the couch, who opened the door, allowing the officer inside. There, he encountered a man later identified as Deshawn Wesley, 22, Youngstown, who tried to hide his face and shoved his hands in his pocket, digging for something.
Green reported telling Wesley to remove his hands several times, but officers finally had to pull his hands from his pockets, and in doing so, pulled out a bag of suspected narcotics. A second bag of suspected drugs was also found in his pocket, with a digital scale lying on the floor next to him, according to reports.
Wesley was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing official business. Officers also reported seizing currency from Wesley.
While placing Browning into custody for the outstanding warrants, officers found a crack pipe in plain view next to him, and he was charged additionally with possession of drug paraphernalia.
In court Tuesday following their arrest, Browning had a second arraignment scheduled July 19, with $35,000 cash/surety bond set, while Wesley had a second arraignment scheduled July 26, with the same bond set. Both were ordered to have no weapons, ammunition or drugs in their possession.
The suspected drugs that were collected will be sent for testing with additional charges to follow, according to police.
jgilbert@mojonews.com