A pair of traffic stops within the past 48 hours led to the arrests of two El Dorado men on drug, DWI and other charges.
David Ramirez, 30, of the 1100 block of North Gray, and Andre R. Ford, 58, of the 700 block of Rock Island Right-of-Way, are scheduled for first appearance hearings today in 35th Judicial District Court following arrests on Sunday and Saturday, respectively.
While on routine patrol at approximately 2:23 a.m. Sunday, police reported hearing a vehicle alarm sound in the parking lot in the area of Cedar and Hill.
Officers said they saw a male, later identified as Ramirez, walking slowly toward a pickup truck in the parking lot, noting that the alarm on the truck went silent as he neared the vehicle.
Minutes later, police said the truck exited the parking lot and headed north on Hill, with the driver, Ramirez, riding left of the center traffic lines.
Police said Ramirez turned east on Main and continued driving just left of the center lines before crossing into the westbound lane of traffic, just east of Madison.
When officers honked their vehicle horn in an effort to get Ramirez’s attention, Ramirez swerved back into the eastbound lane of traffic and jumped a curb, according to a police report.
Officers initiated a traffic stop and Ramirez pulled over in the 700 block of East Main.
Police said there was an open can of beer inside the truck and they said Ramirez appeared intoxicated, noting that his speech was slurred and his eyes were glossy and bloodshot.
Ramirez told officers he was drunk and that he had drunk several beers. Police also said Ramirez was unsteady on his feet after he exited the vehicle.
Police said Ramirez failed several field sobriety tests and he was taken into custody for DWI. He was also cited for driving on a suspended license and driving left of center.
During a search of Ramirez’s vehicle, police said they found a gun and inside his wallet, they found cocaine, which was wrapped in a $1 bill.
Ramirez was subsequently charged with possession of cocaine and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.
Just before 1 a.m. Aug. 24, police said they noticed a vehicle traveling slowly on Rock Island Right-of-Way, just south of Hillsboro.
Police said the vehicle was heading south at eight miles per hour and the driver, later identified as Ford, struck a curb as he negotiated a curve.
Officers conducted a traffic stop and Ford stopped at his residence nearby.
Ford exited the vehicle and ignored several commands to step away from the vehicle, police said, adding that he opened the door to the vehicle and began rummaging around inside.
Police said they pulled Ford away from the vehicle and pinned him against it to prevent from reaching back inside.
They said Ford then pushed officers’ hands away, began yelling at them and did not comply with additional commands to walk to the back of the vehicle.
A struggled ensued as officers attempted to arrest Ford, with officers first using a chemical spray unsuccessfully and then striking Ford several times to subdue him, according to a police report.
Police said Ford smelled strongly of “intoxicants”, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.
During a search incident to arrest, police said they found a container with a Hydrocodone pill on Ford’s person.
Ford faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of governmental operations, resisting arrest, DWI and refusal to submit to a urine test.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].