Emily Runkle, 31, of Lakeview, was charged with possession of drugs and tampering with evidence during a traffic stop Friday evening.
Officers of the Washington Township Police Department patrol about 7:05 p.m. on State Route 708 just south of Russells Point stopped a white Kia for a moving violation. Upon making contact with the driver, officers noticed that front seat passenger Runkle was choking.
Officers suspected Runkle swallowed something as officers approached the vehicle, which she denied. Officers noticed an open can of beer sitting next to the front seat passenger.
The driver gave officers consent to search the vehicle. Officers located inside the vehicle two marijuana vape devices.
Runkle was advised that a female officer was on her way to do a pat down. As the female officer arrived on scene, Runkle’s demeanor changed as the officer approached her. When asked what she had, Runkle pulled out a wet bag of suspected methamphetamine from her waistband and handed to the officers.
The defendant stated that what she was trying to swallow when officers first made contact with her. She was placed under arrest and transported to Logan County Jail. Runkle also was cited for open container in a motor vehicle. The other occupants inside the vehicle were released from the scene.
