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Boardman police handle several drug cases over the weekend
BOARDMAN
Township police handled several drug-related cases over the weekend, including one in which a suspect purportedly attempted to swallow a bag of suspected heroin, led police on a chase and assaulted an officer.
Charged in that incident is Darius Dates, 18, of Dewey Avenue in Youngstown. Dates is charged with felony counts of obstructing official business, assault on a police officer, tampering with evidence and drug possession, and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred Friday night during a traffic stop at Sheridan Road and Lynn Mar Avenue, according to a police report.
Police allege that Dates repeatedly lied about his identity and, while speaking with officers, attempted to swallow “a knotted plastic bag containing a brownish substance.”
He then reportedly wrestled away from an officer who tried to get the evidence from him and sprinted down Lynn Mar, leading to a pursuit effort involving multiple Boardman and Poland Township police officers.
An officer eventually caught up to him and tackled him in a yard on Lealand Avenue, according to a police report, at which time Dates purportedly punched the officer on the chin.
The recovered bag of drugs, which field-tested positive for heroin, weighed 2.2 grams.
Dates was taken to the Mahoning County jail and was being held on a $22,500 bond pending a court appearance, according to the report.
During the pursuit, the officer who chased Dates scraped both of his knees and strained his back, he reported. He also discovered his uniform, gun holster, duty belt, glock magazines, portable radio and other items were damaged.
In separate cases over the weekend, two people were arrested after reportedly overdosing on drugs.
Stephanie Sattarelle, 32, of Lucius Avenue in Youngstown, is charged with possession of drugs and drug-abuse instruments for an incident Saturday in which she reportedly overdosed at the home of a man who used a website to hire her to give him a massage.
Paul Wright, 25, of Hopkins Road, was arrested Friday on warrants for felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs after a reported overdose in December.
All suspects are scheduled to appear in Mahoning County Area Court here Tuesday.