A Knox woman was arrested Saturday, April 6 just before midnight when deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white 2016 Chrysler Town and Country in the 200 South block of County Road 200 East.
Police say the vehicle did not immediately come to a stop, made several erratic movements, disregarded a stop sign, and accelerated away from officers before pulling into a driveway.
Deputies approached the vehicle and greeted its lone occupant, 41-year-old Jennifer Czarnecki of Knox. Deputies ran her credentials through dispatch and were advised that she is a habitual traffic violator, according to the report.
K9 Robby assisted with a free air sniff and reportedly positively alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted. Police say a black-colored container containing a burnt cigarette-like item containing a leafy, plant-like substance was discovered, along with THC wax inside two glass containers. Other paraphernalia was also reportedly found in the search.
As deputies spoke to Czarnecki, they observed open containers. Deputies also noted that Czarnecki had slow or slurred speech, according to the report. After conducting field sobriety tests and a certified breath test, deputies determined that she was allegedly operating the vehicle while intoxicated.
Czarnecki was booked into the Starke County Justice Center on preliminary felony charges of resisting law enforcement and habitual traffic violator, as well as misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering, possession of marijuana, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with an A.C.E. of .08 to .15, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Formal charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
