Staff Report

WARSAW — Two people from Warsaw were arrested after officers found illegal drugs in a stolen vehicle.

Cassie Leigh Santamaria, 31, 917 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, is charged with possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a syringe, and theft, all level 6 felonies; and possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

Timothy Joseph O’Brien, 32, 7358 W. 100S, Warsaw, is charged with possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies; and possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

On Sept. 9, a Warsaw Police responded to a report of a stolen 2014 Dodge Avenger traveling south on North Detroit Street. An officer found the vehicle traveling east on Lake City Highway and pulled the driver over. The driver was identified as Santamaria; O’Brien was a passenger.

According to court documents, the Dodge Avenger was reported stolen by a man who was loaned the vehicle by Pioneer Auto while his personal vehicle was being serviced. On Sept. 6, the man drove the loaned vehicle to work. Santamaria allegedly requested to borrow the vehicle, and the man refused. When he left work, the man noticed his vehicle was gone and attempted to contact Santamaria but did not receive a reply.

Santamaria told police the vehicle was loaned to her by the man. A K9 unit alerted to illegal drugs inside the stolen vehicle. Officers found three hypodermic syringes, one of which tested positive for a narcotic drug. Officers also found four pills identified as a controlled substance.

Both Santamaria and O’Brien denied knowing about the illegal drugs in the vehicle. The stolen vehicle was released to two Pioneer Auto employees.

Santamaria and O’Brien have both already been arrested and released on their own recognizances. They have initial hearings at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in Kosciusko Circuit Court.