Cops: Woman Stripped, Did Yoga In Roadway

JULY 10--A nearly naked woman who was doing yoga exercises in the middle of a Florida roadway was arrested yesterday afternoon by cops who found heroin and drug paraphernalia in her running pickup truck.

Michele Cernak, 51, was collared on a variety of drug counts after police responded to a 911 call about an intoxicated woman stripping off her clothes on an Ocala street.

When officers confronted the Ocala resident, her pants were at her ankles (though she still had “panties covering her private area,” cops noted). Witnesses told officers that Cernak had been doing yoga poses.

Cernak was exercising about ten feet from her truck, which had its driver’s door open. A search of the vehicle turned up heroin and drug paraphernalia, according to an Ocala Police Department report. During questioning, Cernak--who had a bleeding wound on her left ankle--reportedly admitted that she had been shooting heroin.

The police report does not detail if Cernak’s yoga routine included popular poses like Cobra, Downward Dog, or Warrior. Though she did have to assume the position when searched and handcuffed by officers.

Charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors, Cernak is locked up in the Marion County jail in lieu of $5000 bond. (2 pages)