By Staff
Police released details surrounding an early morning chase Wednesday morning that led to the arrest of a Florida man.
According to police, on Wednesday, June 24 at approximately 3:42 a.m., officers of the Niles City Police Department arrested Paul Aaron Rodriguez, 31 of Altamonte, Fla. after a vehicle pursuit through the City of Niles and Niles Township.
After observing a vehicle driving erratically in the area of Fort and Bond streets, Niles City Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle to initiate a possible OWI (operating while intoxicated) investigation.
Upon activating their overhead warning lights, instead of pulling to the side of the road, the suspect vehicle accelerated and attempted to flee from and elude officers.
The pursuit traveled along city and township streets at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. The pursuit ended in the 2500 block of South Third Street after the suspect slowed his vehicle, exited the truck prior to it stopping and without putting it in park.
As the suspect then fled on foot the vehicle continued rolling forward, striking a couple mailboxes before coming to rest against a tree.
Officers began pursuing the suspect on foot and apprehended him after a short foot pursuit.
The investigation by officers confirmed that the alleged suspect, Rodriguez, was apparently intoxicated. He was arrested and lodged at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex.
Upon contacting the owner of the suspect vehicle, officers learned that it had been stolen from the owner's residence in the 1400 block of Bond Street just a short time before the pursuit.
Rodriguez is facing multiple charges including:
No. 1 – Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property (Felony)
No. 2 – Resisting and Obstructing Police (Felony)
No. 3 – Flee/Elude Police (Felony)
No. 4 – Operating While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor)
He is scheduled to be in court on July 7 for a preliminary examination and is currently lodged at the Berrien County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash/surety bond.
Police also released details regarding to other incidents taking place earlier this month.
On June 18, at approximately 9:30 a.m., officers of the Niles City Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at 1355 Sheridan Ave. in the city of Niles. During the search of the residence officers located approximately a quarter pound of marijuana and $135 was seized to be forfeited under the civil forfeiture act.
Arrested was Aaron Asmus, 34, of 1355 Sheridan Ave., Niles. Asmus faces charges of:
No. 1 – Delivery/Manufacturing marijuana
No. 2 – Maintaining a drug house
He is scheduled for a preliminary examination in Fifth District Court on July 1.
The Niles City Police Department was assisted by members of the Berrien County Narcotics Unit.
Based on a brief narcotics investigation, officers of the Niles City Police Department and the Niles City Police Special Response Team, also made an arrest on June 8 at approximately 5:20 p.m. after executing a narcotics search warrant at 1222 N. Ninth St. in the city of Niles.
Located inside the residence as a result of that search warrant was;
A quantity of crack cocaine weighing over 8.5grams.
Misc. narcotics paraphernalia.
$450.00 was seized to be forfeited under the civil forfeiture act
Arrested was Adrian Thomas, 27, of 1222 N. Ninth St., Niles. He faces charges of:
No. 1 – Delivery/Manufacturing crack cocaine less than 50 grams, 2nd offense
No. 2 – Maintaining a drug house, 2nd offense
A preliminary examination was held on this case on June 24 in the Fifth District Court in St. Joseph, at which time Thomas was bound over for trial on all charges. He remains lodged in the Berrien County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash/surety bond.
The Niles City Police Department was assisted by members of the Berrien County Narcotics Unit.