Plymouth Police arrest 5 over weekend with driving and drug charges

Officers with the Plymouth Police Department made five arrests over the weekend of July 31st through August 1st following a series of traffic stops that uncovered suspended licenses, marijuana possession, and one dramatic felony arrest that ended with a $20,000 bond.

Officer Krynock opened the weekend's enforcement activity with two arrests on the morning of Thursday, July 31st.

At 8:50 a.m., Krynock stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction at the intersection of Jefferson and First Streets. The driver, Daniel J. Venice, 44, of Trail Creek, IN, was found to have a suspended driver's license with a prior suspension within the last 10 years. Venice was lodged in the Marshall County Jail but bonded out within 20 minutes.

Less than three hours later, at 11:53 a.m., Officer Krynock made a second stop on U.S. 30 at Michigan Street. The driver, Rodger J. Harris III, 22, of Fort Wayne, was also found to have a suspended license with a prior suspension within 10 years. Harris was booked into the Marshall County Jail and paid his cash bond within 25 minutes before being released.

Thursday evening took a more serious turn when Officer Fisher with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 at 6:26 p.m. Fisher had run the registered owner of the vehicle and found them to be a habitual traffic violator. When he approached the vehicle, the driver matched the registered owner's BMV photo — Karie Beaird, 55, of Rochester — and she was taken into custody for driving while a habitual traffic violator.

During the stop, Officer Fisher detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The passenger, Christopher Harper, 55, of North Judson, stepped out of the vehicle and was found to be intoxicated. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up marijuana and marijuana pipes. Both individuals were arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and transported to the Marshall County Jail. Beaird was held on a $1,500 cash bond and Harper on a $250 cash bond.

The weekend's most serious incident unfolded on Saturday, August 1st, just before 4:00 p.m., when Officer Fisher stopped a vehicle on U.S. 30 east of Oak Drive for traveling 70 mph in a 45 mph construction zone — 25 miles per hour over the posted limit.

The driver, Athena Guerrero, 43, of Highland, was immediately argumentative with the officer and admitted she had no insurance on the vehicle. Officer Fisher also detected the odor of marijuana coming from the car, and a check of Guerrero's driving history revealed a suspended license and a prior conviction for no insurance.

The situation escalated when, while Officer Fisher was completing paperwork, Guerrero exited the vehicle without authorization, carrying two bags. When the officer moved to place her under arrest, she physically resisted. Plymouth Police K-9 was called to assist at the scene.

Guerrero was arrested on multiple charges, including resisting law enforcement with bodily injury (felony), OWI with a prior conviction (felony), possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and no insurance with a prior conviction. She was given a certified blood draw, transported to the Marshall County Jail, and held on a $20,000 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere 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.