LAKE CO.- On March 9, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Trooper Kevin Council patrolled I-65 northbound lanes when he observed a 2005 Ford Mustang driving erratically.
The vehicle was weaving and traveling significantly under the posted speed limit while traveling in the left lane. A traffic stop was initiated, and the car initially sped up, then slowed down as though it was going to stop before again speeding up. The driver finally stopped along the inside shoulder near the 257-mile marker, approximately a mile north of 61st Avenue.
During the traffic stop, Trooper Council, along with Trooper James Williams, made several observations that led them to initiate an OWI investigation. During the investigation, a search of the subject resulted in additional suspected narcotics being located in his pockets. A Glock model 23 .40 caliber handgun that had been modified with a switch was also located under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The driver was subsequently transported to the Lake County Jail for a certified breath test but later transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital, where a warrant was requested and granted by a Lake County judge for a blood draw. That warrant was executed at the hospital, and the subject was then incarcerated at the Lake County Jail.
The driver, Lorenzo V. Watkins, 30, from Gary, has been preliminarily charged with the following offenses:
- Possession of a Machine Gun- Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 5 Felony
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
- Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug- Level 6 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent- Level 6 Felony
- O.W.I. Endangering a Person- Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule I, II, III, or IV- Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License- Class C Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor
A report was also filed with the Department of Child Services because a juvenile was in the vehicle. The child was turned over to a family member at the traffic stop scene.
All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
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