Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested two after a traffic stop and one tried to escape police custody after being admitted to the hospital after being tased.
Early Sunday morning, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on State Road 119 in Winamac but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop and was traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver eventually drove into a driveway on Washington Street and the driver and the passenger were ordered out of the vehicle. When officers conducted a search, they allegedly found bath salts in Adam Koske’s possession. The driver, James Penicaro, was allegedly found to be intoxicated.
While at the Pulaski County Jail, Penicaro refused to take a chemical test and became belligerent with the officers and began yelling at them. After being warned a second time to be quiet and Penicaro failing to comply, officers reportedly tased him. He was tased twice and taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital to be checked. Penicaro continued to be hostile at the hospital and attempted to run from police while at the hospital. He was tased again. A search warrant for a blood sample was granted and the results reportedly found Penicaro to be intoxicated.
James Penicaro, of Winamac, was arrested and has preliminary charges of Attempted Escape, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Refusal) with a Prior Conviction, Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of .15% or Greater with a Prior Conviction, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering with a Prior Conviction, Reckless Driving, two counts of Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Law Enforcement. Adam Koske, of Winamac, has preliminary charges of Public Intoxication and Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance. This case has been forwarded to the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
