Two arrested in separate traffic stops on U.S. 31 by County Police

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Marshall County Sheriff's Department arrested two motorists in separate traffic stops on U.S. 31 near State Road 10 over the past week.

On Wednesday, January 28, at approximately 7:09 p.m., a Marshall County deputy on routine patrol observed a vehicle pulling two other vehicles in a daisy-chain configuration traveling southbound on U.S. 31 near SR 10.

Deputies noted the towing vehicle had no front headlight and no marker lights on the rear vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted, and the operator was identified as Miguel G. Lopez-Navarrette, 37, of El Paso, Texas.

Lopez-Navarrette was taken into custody and charged with criminal recklessness. He was also issued numerous citations for safety violations and other traffic infractions related to the improper towing configuration and lighting violations.

He was booked into the Marshall County Jail on a $500 bond. The Marshall County Sheriff's Department, Argos Police Department, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources assisted with the incident.

On Friday, January 30, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Marshall County officer initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 31 near SR 10 for a moving violation.

During the investigation, the officer discovered the driver, Harvey J. Burkett, 33, of Kokomo, was operating a vehicle with suspended driving privileges.

Burkett was transported to the Marshall County Jail and charged with driving while suspended with a prior. He is being held on a $500 bond.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Department and Argos Police Department were involved in the arrest.