Couple's car was a meth lab, police say

SANDUSKY – A Clyde couple was charged with possession of drug instruments and cultivating methamphetamine after a traffic stop in Sandusky last week, a police report says.

Ashley Walter, 27, and fiancee Andrew Spitzer, 29, face multiple felony charges after a search was conducted in which officers recovered plastic bags with residue. Walter admitted to officers that the residue was methamphetamine, according to the police report.

Officers also recovered metal boxes, plastic straws and needles containing residue in a search of a vehicle belonging to Walter.

According to the report, Walter admitted there were materials for a meth lab inside the vehicle, and investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation confirmed there was an active meth lab in the car.

"Due to the vehicle being in the vicinity of Adams Junior High, the charge (cultivating methamphetamine) was upgraded to a felony 1," the report said.

In Ohio, the drug-free zone is considered to have a 1,000-foot perimeter.

The report says the vehicle, driven by Spitzer, was southbound on Hancock Street in Sandusky when it made several turns attempting to evade police before coming to a stop on East Adams Street.

Police identified the vehicle as registered in Walter's name, with an active warrant for her arrest.

When officers approached the car, Walter and Spitzer were not in the vehicle and had entered a nearby library.

Both were stopped by an officer on duty at the library, and Walter was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant.

The report said Spitzer continued reaching into his pocket when police stopped him. He consented to a search and the plastic bag with residue was found, the report said. He was also charged with possession of drugs, a felony, a misdemeanor count of possession of a drug instrument and a misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension.

Walter is being held without bond while Spitzer's bond was set at $27,500.

Walter and Spitzer will appear in Erie County Municipal Court at 10 a.m. July 8.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: CraigShoupNH