Police Arrest 4 People in Connection with Drug and Paraphernalia Possession

Police Catch Two with Drugs Lurking in an Alley

Michael A. Merino, 24, of Chicago, and Robyn A. Johnson, 25, of Worth, were both charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after police found them with used syringes and small plastic bags containing white powder residue.

At 12:18 a.m. on June 28, officers were dispatched to an alley in the 9700 block of Lawndale Avenue to investigate a vehicle, police said. While Merino and Johnson were sitting in a 1996 Acura in an alley, police said they saw them leaning toward the center console. Officers approached and asked if they knew people at location, and they said they were waiting for someone else down the block, police said.

Johnson was seen bleeding from her right wrist and quickly wiped the blood away without giving an answer to police as to why she was bleeding, police said.

According to police, Merino presented an Illinois state ID card that was expired, so they took him into custody. Johnson also presented an ID card and police found that she was wanted on an arrest warrant by Cook County Sheriff's Police for assault charges, police said.

Police recovered six syringes, three plastic bags with residue that later tested positive for heroin, and a plunger, police said. Merino and Johnson were each charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, and Merino also was charged with driving without a driver’s license and driving without insurance because he was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Admitted Marijuana and Partner Paraphernalia Possession

Andre Ryan, 20, of Chicago, was charged with possessing 1.7 grams of marijuana, police said.

Police said that while patrolling at about 6:04 p.m. on June 28, they saw a subject who they knew and Ryan walking in the parking lot of the BP gas station in the 2600 block of 95th Street.  Police said they knew Jermaine C. Stanton, 19, of Evergreen Park, was wanted on a failure to appear warrant.

According to reports, police spoke to both men, and, upon attempting a pat-down, Ryan said he had a bag of marijuana in his denim coat.

Ryan was charged with possession of marijuana, and Stanton was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and taken into custody for failing to appear on a previous charge.