Full Notification

At approximately 10:42 pm., on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Bluffton Police Sergeant Jason Baker was conducting extra patrol duty as part of Operation Pull Over. Sgt. Baker noticed a vehicle traveling south on Main Street near Dustman Road with a loud stereo. Sgt. Baker followed the vehicle and observed the vehicle make a lane change without signaling. Sgt. Baker initiated a traffic stop near Market and Williams Streets and noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Sgt. Baker identified all three occupants of the vehicle and began to investigate the marijuana odor when the male passenger, Tomas Arriaga 18 years old from Bluffton, ran from the scene to the south and west. Sgt. Baker radioed for assistance.

Other Bluffton Police Officers and Wells County Sheriff Deputies responded to the scene and searched for Mr. Arriaga. Arriaga was located and taken into custody near the 700 block of West Market Street.

Wells County Sheriff K-9 Deputy AJ Campbell used his partner Leo to search the route taken by the fleeing Arriaga. K-9 Leo located clothing worn by Arriaga, along with an edged weapon and a baggie containing purported marijuana.

Arriaga was arrested for A Misdemeanor Resisting (fleeing) Law Enforcement and B Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.

Sgt. Baker questioned the other two occupants of the vehicle, driver Brooke Zoda 18 years old of rural Warren, and passenger Georgia Barr 18 years old from Geneva. Sgt. Baker determined that both remaining occupants had smoked marijuana. After conducting a vehicle inventory, more marijuana and paraphernalia were discovered inside a hidden compartment in the vehicle.

Zoda was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (Drugs) an A Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana a B Misdemeanor and Possession of Paraphernalia, a C Misdemeanor.

Barr was arrested for B Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.

Media Contact:
Kyle Randall
Deputy Chief of Police
Bluffton Police Department
260.824.3320
[email protected]