Smithville Police Officers were busy over the weekend with DUI and speed enforcement throughout the city. Officers made (4) arrests for DUI, wrote (12) citations for excessive speed and made (2) Public Intoxication arrests.
On Friday, March 16th Smithville Officers arrested 31 year old Alex Shaw Hudgens of 110 Sutton Lane, Ashland City. Chief Thomas Stufano says “At approximately 2:00 a.m. Hudgens was noticed traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 70. When Officers approached the driver they could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him.. Standard sobriety tests were administered with Hudgens performing poorly. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and transported to the DeKalb County Jail and placed under a $1,000 bond.”
On Saturday, March 17th Smithville Officers saw 26 year old Derek Charles Riggs of 245 Allen Street, Smithville, drive his vehicle at a high rate of speed down Allens Chapel Road. Chief Stufano says “Upon stopping the vehicle it was readily apparent that Riggs was under the influence of alcohol. Also present in his vehicle was his 6 year old son. Riggs was arrested for DUI, Reckless Endangerment, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail under a $6,000 bond.”
DUI Enforcement continued on Sunday March 18th with the arrest of 23 year old Esteban Morales Palomo of 13015 West Greenhill Road, McMinnville. He was charged with DUI. Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police spotted Palomo pulling up to a local fast food restaurant at 3:00 a.m. to place an order even though the business had been closed for hours. Upon contact it was apparent that Palomo was intoxicated when Officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Palomo’s breath as he spoke. Standard sobriety tests were administered and substantiated that the driver was alcohol impaired. Further inspection of the vehicle noted that there were two six packs of empty Corona Beer containers on the back seat. In addition to the DUI charge, Palomo was also charged with No Driver’s License and Violation of the Open Container Law. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. Palomo also admitted to being an illegal alien from Mexico.”
A second arrest for DUI was made at 8:30 a.m. Sunday when Smithville Police were working speed enforcement in the area of Foster Road. Chief Stufano says ” Officer’s stopped 26 year old Ramiro Rojas of City Walk Apartments on Bryant Street, Smithville for speeding. Upon contact with Rojas police detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Also observed was an open container of beer sitting in the console of the vehicle. Rojas preformed the field sobriety tests and was found to be very unsteady on his feet. He was placed under arrest for DUI, Driving without a Driver’s License, No Insurance and Violation of the Open Container law. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond.”
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Also arrested at the same traffic stop was Rojas passenger 26 year old Ernesto Zolang of 225 Bryant Street, Smithville. Chief Stufano says “At the time of the driver’s arrest, Zolang exited the passenger side of the vehicle falling against the truck due to his intoxication. He was arrested for Public Intoxication and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. Both subjects advised that they were illegal aliens from Mexico.”
Continued traffic enforcement efforts on March 18th detected a driver known not to have a valid driver’s license due to a previous DUI arrest. Smithville Officer’s saw 51 year old Charles Earl West of 679 Pine Grove Road, Smithville driving his vehicle on Highway 56 South. Chief Stufano says “A computer check showed that West’s drivers license is currently revoked. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. West’s vehicle, a 2006 Suzuki SUV was seized under the state’s drug and alcohol forfeiture act.”
Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police are staying constantly vigilant for DUI, Speeder’s and suspicious activity within our city limits. Citizen’s participation in reporting these safety issues has been extremely beneficial in helping preserve our community’s safety. Resident’s are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and on our roadways! “
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