Weekend Traffic Stops Lead to Five Arrests in Plymouth

The Plymouth Police Department reported a busy weekend, making five separate traffic-related arrests on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18. All five individuals were booked into the Marshall County Jail on various driving and substance charges.

The series of arrests began on Friday when Corporal McIntyre pulled over 35-year-old Ramon Mendoza of South Bend for a traffic violation. A subsequent investigation revealed Mendoza was driving with a suspended license with a misdemeanor status. He was taken into custody and transported to the county jail.

Later that afternoon at 1:30 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle driven by 54-year-old Nichole M. Konopinski, also of South Bend, for a traffic infraction in the 2000 block of North Michigan Street. Konopinski was found to be driving with a suspended-prior license status. She was lodged at the Marshall County Jail on a $500 cash bond and issued a court date of May 19.

Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., Patrolman Thornton initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Liberty and Garro Streets. The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Indiana Avenue and Washington Street. During the investigation, officers determined the driver, 31-year-old Erik Cuatlacuatl Cuatlatl of Plymouth, had never received a driver's license. He was arrested and lodged in the jail.

The traffic stops continued into Saturday. At 10:30 a.m., Officer Krynock stopped 31-year-old Pedro Jimenez of Warsaw for an infraction at the intersection of Adams and Water Streets. Jimenez was found to have a suspended misdemeanor status and had never received a driver's license. He was also taken to the Marshall County Jail.

The most severe incident of the weekend occurred Saturday night at approximately 10:20 p.m. A Plymouth police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling over 70 mph on U.S. 30 near North Michigan Street. During the stop, the officer observed drug paraphernalia and open containers in plain view.

The driver, identified as 29-year-old Angel Pucheta Caixba of Mt. Prospect, Illinois, was taken into custody. Pucheta Caixba is facing multiple charges, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a valid driver's license, and possession of marijuana. He was transported to the Marshall County Jail and issued a bond and court date.

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.