St. John Man Arrested After Drugs Found in Vehicle and Hidden During Booking
St. John-According to court documents, on October 21, 2025, an officer with the St. John Police Department observed a 2015 Chevy Cruz near Wicker Avenue drifting over the center line, nearly striking a raised median and curb before crossing into the opposite lane of travel.
The vehicle was stopped, and the driver was identified as 33-year-old Michael Wiatrowski. A female passenger was also in the car. The officer noted that Wiatrowski appeared visibly nervous — swallowing rapidly, bouncing his leg, and avoiding eye contact.
The officer reported seeing pieces of copper wire resembling “chore boy” filters, commonly used to smoke controlled substances. After stepping out of the car, Wiatrowski allegedly volunteered that there was a crack pipe inside the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed several torn plastic baggies with white powdery residue, a crack pipe in the center console, two additional suspected crack pipes with residue, and a plastic baggie with a rock-like substance. More rock-like substance was also found on the floor of the vehicle.
While being booked into the Lake County Jail, Wiatrowski was observed chewing something in his mouth. He then attempted to swallow the object before spitting out a rock-like substance.
A scanner detected an item concealed near his genital area, and Wiatrowski allegedly refused to hand it over when warned that bringing narcotics into the jail could result in additional charges. A search was conducted, and a clear plastic bag fell from his boxers.
The bag contained ten white round pills and additional rock-like substance. Field testing confirmed the substance was cocaine, and the pills tested positive for Xanax.
Charges filed October 22,2025:
• Possession of Cocaine; <5g, Enhancing Circumstance — Level 5 Felony
• Possession of Cocaine; <5g — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance; Enhancing Circumstance — Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction of Justice (Attempt) — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance — Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia; Introducing a Controlled Substance into Body — Class C Misdemeanor
Wiatrowski was lodged in the Lake County Jail following the incident.
