2 men arrested on OWI charges in separate Saturday incidents by Plymouth Police

Plymouth Police arrested two men on suspicion of operating while intoxicated in separate incidents early Saturday morning, September 12th.

The first arrest came at 1:08 a.m., when Officer Ayala made a traffic stop on a vehicle at U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 for a moving violation. A DUI investigation was initiated on the driver, 52-year-old Terry J. Cooley of Rochester. Cooley was transported to the hospital for a chemical test and later to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. He was held on a $1,500 cash bond.

The second incident occurred at 3:14 a.m., when Plymouth Police and Fire were dispatched to the intersection of Markley Drive and Western Avenue after a caller reported a vehicle into a utility pole with the male driver bleeding from the mouth.

Upon arrival, the officer found the driver conscious and speaking, but with slurred speech and red, glassy eyes. During the investigation, it was learned that the driver had traveled southbound from the parking area for Chicago Mattress, through the grass, before colliding with a set of guide wires for a NIPSCO pole at the corner of Markley Drive and Western Avenue.

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Angel Gracia of Plymouth, was examined at the scene for injuries and signed a refusal for chemical testing. An odor of suspected alcoholic beverage was also noted coming from Gracia. He was transported to the Plymouth Hospital, where a search warrant for his blood alcohol content revealed a BAC of .239%.

Gracia was treated for an injury to his lip and given jail clearance. He was lodged in the Marshall County Jail for OWI — endangering and OWI — with a BAC of .15% or more, and held on a $1,500 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.