Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman, along with Patrolman Troy Ulch of the Culver Police Department, and head of the Marshall County DUI Task Force, announced (today-Wednesday) the results of the Sobriety Checkpoint conducted on Friday, July 31, 2015. The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lane on North Oak Road in Plymouth and ran from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. One hundred forty vehicles went through the checkpoint, while hundreds more were allowed to continue on without interference.
In general, the method consisted of directing three vehicles into a commercial parking lot to speak with the driver and ask for a license and registration. The objective was to conduct the check for no longer than two minutes; most interactions took far less time than two minutes. If all was in order, the person was directed to continue on through the parking lot back to Oak Road. While the three vehicles were in the checkpoint station, literally dozens of other vehicles continued on their way. Once the three vehicles had exited the checkpoint, then the next three vehicles were directed into the checkpoint.
During the three hour operation, one person was arrested for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated by an illegal substance; one person was arrested for Driving with a Suspended License; and three warning tickets were issued (one for a headlight being out, and two for expired license plates.)
The Marshall County DUI Task Force is comprised of officers from the Marshall County Police Departments, and the police departments of Bremen, Bourbon, Culver and Plymouth. Also assisting at the scene of the checkpoint was an officer from Mishawaka Police Department, the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office, and Lyons Towing.
Chipman stated, “One DUI is one too many. The arrest for being under the influence of an illegal substance is probably more reflective of today’s society than anything else. It is impressive though that no alcohol was detected at the checkpoint for those three high traffic hours on a main street of Plymouth.”
Patrolman Ulch stated, “A lot of preparation and training went into planning this checkpoint. I am grateful for the assistance rendered by officers throughout the county willing to go out of their normal routine and conduct a professional and as non-intrusive checkpoint as the law requires.”
Chipman also praised and thanked the officers involved.
