Akron police made two arrests after finding a car full of drugs and money late Tuesday night at an Akron McDonald's and authorities say officers have been called to that location 42 times this year for drug activity, overdoses and other reported crimes.
Police said that just before 11 p.m., a car parked in the parking lot of the McDonald's on East Market Street with two men sitting inside caught their attention. When officers approached the car they immediately saw drugs in plain sight and asked the two men inside to step out.
Once the men were out of the car, a search of the car by police yielded an assortment of drugs.
Police said they discovered heroin, meth, crack, cocaine and marijuana along with $5,200 in cash.
Police arrested 65-year-old James Naples from Youngstown, and 44-year-old Torrey Harris from Columbus.
Records show, since June, there have been 20 calls for suspected drug dealing in the parking lot and even overdoses in the restroom.
Police Lieutenant Rick Edwards said there are two reasons dealers and addicts use 24-hour businesses — They’re always busy, so being parked in the lot isn’t as suspicious as being parked in an empty lot.
Lt. Edwards said they also choose places close to the highway. This location is near Interstate 76.
“So it’s easy access through Akron, jump off the freeway do their transaction in the parking lot and get back on the exit ramp,” Lt. Edwards said.
