Plymouth traffic stops lead to 3 arrests on Monday

The Plymouth Police Department reported a busy Monday, March 9, as officers made three separate traffic-related arrests throughout the day, all resulting in bookings at the Marshall County Jail.

The first incident occurred at 1:00 p.m. when Officer Krynock stopped a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Ricardo Rubio of South Bend for a traffic infraction in the 1400 block of North Michigan Street. During the stop, it was discovered that Rubio was driving with a suspended license with a prior conviction within the last 10 years. He was also found to be operating the vehicle without insurance, with a prior charge. Rubio was subsequently arrested and lodged in the Marshall County Jail.

Just five minutes later, at 1:05 p.m., Corporal McIntyre pulled over 42-year-old Gerardo Contreras Rivera of South Plum Street in Plymouth. The traffic stop took place at the intersection of Plum and North Streets for a traffic violation. During the investigation, officers determined that Rivera had never been issued a driver's license in Indiana or any other state. He was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Later that evening, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Officer Fisher conducted a traffic stop at the Lady Bug Laundry on West Jefferson Street. The stop was initiated after a check of the vehicle's registration indicated that the registered owner had a suspended license. The driver, identified as the registered owner, 31-year-old Michael Petruska of Hamlet, was arrested for driving while suspended with a prior conviction within 10 years. Petruska was transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked in.

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. All suspects 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.