Elkhart man arrested by Plymouth Police for OWI after blood test shows elevated BAC

A midday traffic stop for a registration violation Wednesday led to the arrest of an Elkhart man on operating while intoxicated charges.

A Plymouth Police Officer conducted a traffic stop at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, at Michigan and Novelty Streets on a vehicle whose registered owner showed a suspended registration status.

During the stop, Officer Fisher determined that the driver, Ricardo Mora, 23, of Elkhart, had been drinking. Mora told the officer he had consumed one beer earlier in the morning.

Officer Fisher administered field sobriety tests at the scene. Following the tests, Mora was transported for a certified blood draw to determine his blood alcohol content. The results showed Mora's BAC was 0.106, exceeding Indiana's legal limit of 0.08 for operating a vehicle. Mora was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked on charges of driving while intoxicated and OWI endangerment.  He was held on a $1,500 cash bond.

The Plymouth Police Department reminds motorists that impaired driving poses serious risks to public safety and will not be tolerated.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. The accused is presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and is 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.