Man faces drug and gun charges

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

LIBERTY — A 30-year-old Youngstown man is due back in Girard Municipal Court on Wednesday after police found drugs and two guns in a car he was driving Saturday.

Ralph Riddle Jr., 30, of Myrtle Avenue, is charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon, illegal possession of a gun, possessing criminal tools and trafficking in marijuana. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business.

Riddle appeared in court Monday where his bond was set at $275,000. He is scheduled for a Wednesday preliminary hearing and pretrial hearing.

According to police reports, Riddle failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign while driving through the intersection of Hadley and Euclid streets.

After being pulled over for the traffic violation, reports say Riddle got out of the car and ran from police.

Reports say officers caught up to Riddle after a short chase and he acted as if he were reaching under his shirt, causing officers to draw their guns. Riddle eventually got on the ground and was taken into custody by township and Girard city police.

Riddle was found to have outstanding felony warrants from the United States Marshal’s Service.

Officers searching the silver Buick LeSabre that Riddle was driving said thet found 20 individually bagged pieces of crack cocaine, 10 individual bags of marijuana, one bag containing 10 Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen tablets, a digital scale with powder residue, a pack of rolling papers and 157 small Zip-Loc bags.

There were also marijuana seeds on the floor of the car, police said.

In addition to the drugs, officers also found two loaded handguns under the seat. Officers found additional ammunition in the car as well.

Reports say the police car’s video camera was activated. The tape from the camera has been placed into evidence.