Press Release, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office:
Early this morning, Deputy Jon Sikorski was stationary on US 6 near CR 900 West. He was monitoring westbound US 6 traffic, along with northbound and southbound traffic on CR 900 West.
Deputy Sikorski was in the area to address any traffic violations on surrounding roadways of the US 6 and US 421 South Junction, due to the intersection being closed for the roundabout project.
At 12:27 AM, he observed a vehicle traveling west on US 6 maneuver around and disregard two barricades in the roadway with “ROAD CLOSED” signs affixed to them. The vehicle proceeded to pass by where Deputy Sikorski was parked on US 6.
Immediately after passing by him, Depuy Sikorski caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped approximately 100 yards east of another set of barricades on US, much closer to the construction site.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Nicole L. Tarnow (30 YOA) of Portage, Indiana. As the traffic stop progressed, Deputy Sikorski established probable cause that Tarnow was impaired.
TARNOW was eventually taken into custody and transported to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ). She was arrested for three (3) counts of Operating While Intoxicated. TARNOW remains housed in the LCJ and is being held on a $905 cash bond through Superior Court III.
Captain Derek J. Allen stated, “Deputies were recently directed to increase their presence and traffic enforcement in the area around the US 6 and US 421 South Junction closure. This arrest highlights the focus and attention being given to this area during all times of the day. High-visibility and aggressive enforcement of traffic violators will continue in Clinton and New Durham Townships throughout the length of the closure.”
Assisting: Sergeant Gabe Struss, Westville Police Department
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.