On January 29, 2018 at approximately 6:40 AM, Indiana State Police Troopers Anthony Potesta and Brayan Elias-Espinoza stopped to check on a disabled motorist on I-94 eastbound near mile marker 33.8 (This is just west of US 421 Exit #34).
The driver was identified as Armando Vargas-Angel, 36, of Aurora, IL. Vargas-Angel stated that he had run out of gas and that he was traveling from work in Western Springs, IL to his home to Aurora, IL. The troopers determined that he was approximately 100 miles off course.
Vargas-Angel showed signs of impairment, and a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed several baggies of a white powdery substance, suspected to be Cocaine, as well several items of drug paraphernalia. Vargas-Angel was transported to LaPorte County Jail where he tested .16% on a Certified Chemical Breath Test. He has been charged with:
Possession of Cocaine, Level 6 Felony
Operating While Intoxicated-Endangering a Person, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated-BAC .15 or Higher, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated-Per Se, Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
He was transferred to jail staff without further incident.
