Indiana State Patrol troopers located a stolen white 2024 Dodge Ram on Sunday night after a dispatch alert at about 9:10 p.m. The vehicle, reported stolen earlier that evening by the Blendon Township Police Department in Ohio, was traveling through LaPorte County before entering St. Joseph County.
Suspect identified and detained
Trooper Brianna Santoyo, a drug‑recognition expert, spotted the truck roughly 17 minutes after the alert and confirmed it was the stolen Dodge. The driver was identified as 31‑year‑old Manuel Flores of Toledo, Ohio. Santoyo conducted a field evaluation and determined Flores was intoxicated on a controlled substance.
Flores was taken to a local hospital for a certified intoxication test and then transferred to the St. Joseph County Jail. He now faces charges of criminal conversion, operating while intoxicated with endangerment, operating while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana.
Passengers also charged
A search of the vehicle uncovered suspected marijuana, prompting charges against the three passengers traveling with Flores.
Front‑seat passenger Raul Martinez, 26, also of Toledo, was arrested for criminal conversion and possession of marijuana. Rear‑seat passenger José Hernandez, 40, of Toledo, was arrested for criminal conversion. A third rear‑seat passenger, 39‑year‑old Marcos Perez‑Velasco of Aurora, Illinois, was arrested and charged with criminal conversion, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia.
All four men have been booked into the St. Joseph County Jail.
Law‑enforcement response
The swift coordination between Blendon Township Police, Indiana State Police dispatchers, and troopers on the ground demonstrates effective inter‑agency collaboration in addressing vehicle theft and drug‑related offenses. Trooper Santoyo’s expertise in drug‑recognition helped ensure that the intoxication assessment was conducted promptly and accurately.
Authorities encourage the public to report stolen vehicles and suspicious activity promptly, emphasizing that timely tips can lead to rapid recoveries and arrests, as illustrated by this case.
Community impact
While the incident involved out‑of‑state residents, the response underscores the importance of vigilance in Indiana’s roadways and the ongoing effort to curb drug possession and vehicle theft. Residents are reminded that law‑enforcement agencies remain committed to keeping highways safe and addressing illegal activity wherever it occurs.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
