Police checking on a woman at the request of her brother arrested her and a man they found squatting in a Paradis Avenue apartment Dec. 14, the latter in possession of crack cocaine.
The man, Michael Padua, 30, with a last known address of 355 Paradis Ave., Apt. 3, had recently been evicted from the apartment, according to Officer Justin Mowry's report.
Mowry reported that a caller was concerned about his sister, Sonya Buffington, 30, whom he knew was staying at the apartment, but had not been able to contact. Mowry and Officer Timothy Greene arrived at the apartment building and knocked at the apartment, but no one answered.
The officers spoke with the first floor tenant, learning the Padua had been evicted and was not supposed to still be in the apartment. The second floor tenant told them that although no one had answered the officers' knocking, he could hear people moving around inside. The first floor tenant, who had a set a keys so she could help the landlord clear the apartment, gave them to the officers so they could enter the apartment.
Inside, they found Padua, Buffington and a third man, all in good condition. Padua and Buffington had outstanding warrants from Sixth District Court, and were arrested on those warrants. Buffington said they hadn't answered the door because they were worried about their warrants and didn't want to be arrested.
The officers also found cocaine in Padua's bedroom, and charged him with possession of cocaine, a felony.
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