Plymouth man arrested after fleeing traffic stop

A Plymouth man was arrested Monday evening after allegedly fleeing from a vehicle stopped on U.S. 30 and walking away when an officer arrived on the scene.

The incident began at approximately 7:30 p.m. on January 5th when Officer Fisher with the Plymouth Police Department was en route to assist another Plymouth officer with a traffic stop on U.S. 30 west of Oak Drive.

While responding, Officer Fisher noticed two people running across U.S. 30 from a vehicle with no lights on that was sitting in the eastbound turn lane from Oak Drive. The vehicle appeared to be obstructing traffic.

Officer Fisher turned around and stopped behind the unlit vehicle. The two individuals he had seen leaving the vehicle looked at him and continued walking away, heading south on Oak Drive.

The individuals eventually entered the Aldi's parking lot, where other officers made contact with them. They were identified as Ismael Rodriguez, 44, of State Road 15 in Plymouth, and his son.

Rodriguez told officers he had left the vehicle because he did not have a driver's license. He claimed there was a steering issue with the vehicle, and that's why he had stopped in the turn lane.  However, when Rodriguez provided the key to the officers, the vehicle started without issue. The steering appeared to function properly, and the vehicle was driven to a tow truck without problems.

Rodriguez was taken into custody at 8:20 p.m. and charged with operating a vehicle without a license with a prior conviction and obstructing traffic.  He was transported to Marshall County Jail and booked. Rodriguez posted his cash bond at 10:30 p.m. and was released.

Charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and is entitled to be represented by counsel and 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.