By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — An Erie, Pa., woman who drew police attention Sunday night for littering and a driving violation was arrested after admitting she had heroin and needles in her vehicle, officers said.
Police charged Stephanie Potter, 29, with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and a traffic offense, said Public Safety Director Jon Arcaro.
Potter had a small amount of the drug in the vehicle, Arcaro said. “Just enough for personal use,” he said.
The incident began around 6 p.m., when Potter — behind the wheel of a car — waved down a police officer to ask directions to the police station. A short time later, Potter entered the station to visit an inmate.
After presenting identification, police learned Potter’s license was suspended. When Potter left the station, a police officer was watching. The officer saw the woman place a soda pop can near a parked vehicle, then return to her vehicle and drive away, police said.
The officer followed and stopped Potter’s vehicle, according to a report. A flustered Potter apologized for littering in the parking lot and admitted she had lost her driving privileges, police said. Potter then told the officer she had needles and heroin in the vehicle, which police seized, according to reports.
Also in the vehicle were another woman and two children, police said.
