Busy weekend for Plymouth Police yields six traffic-related arrests

Local law enforcement had a busy weekend patrolling the roadways, resulting in six separate arrests between Friday, April 10, and Sunday, April 12, for various severe traffic and licensing violations.

The string of arrests began on Friday afternoon when Officer Krynock of the Plymouth Police Department stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction at Pilgrim Lane and Oak Drive at 12:14 p.m. The driver, 23-year-old Ivis Dallany Avilez Silas of Plymouth, was found to have never received a driver's license and was lodged in the Marshall County Jail.

The following morning at 11:21 a.m., Officer Krynock made a similar stop at U.S. 31 and 9A Road. The driver, 36-year-old Jennifer Jolany Damas Leiva of Indianapolis, was also found to be operating a vehicle without ever having received a license. She was booked into the county jail on a $100 cash bond.

Later on Saturday, officers nabbed two drivers for operating with suspended licenses. At 12:45 p.m., Patrolman Thornton initiated a traffic stop at U.S. 30 and Plymouth Goshen Trail after a vehicle's registration showed as suspended. The driver, 34-year-old Owen William White of Lafayette, was also found to have a suspended driving status. He was arrested for driving while suspended with a prior conviction.

Shortly after, at 3:06 p.m., Officer Fisher stopped a vehicle at Indiana and Jefferson Streets for a suspended registration. The registered owner and driver, 30-year-old Tawon Jones of Hammond, was taken into custody and booked for driving while suspended with a prior conviction.

The weekend wrapped up with two simultaneous stops on Sunday evening just after 8:00 p.m.

Patrolman Allen conducted a traffic stop near U.S. 30 and N. Oak Road for an equipment violation. The driver, 51-year-old Jason Smith of Culver, was found to be operating with a suspended misdemeanor status due to a previous criminal conviction. He was taken into custody for driving while suspended.

Meanwhile, a Marshall County Sheriff's Deputy pulled over a vehicle for traveling at excessive speeds on U.S. 30 near Michigan Street. Plymouth Police Corporal Schieber assisted with the stop. The driver, 28-year-old Rafael Rodriguez-Garcia of Fort Wayne, was arrested and lodged at the Marshall County Jail for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.

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. 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.