Winthrop Harbor Police Department

PRESS RELEASE


March 2, 2009: Arrest Notices 2/22/09 - 3/1/09

Sex Offender Arrest:
On February 28, 2009, a detective observed a subject walking northbound within the 100 block of Lewis Avenue. After conducting a field interview, The Detective learned Ronald J. Watts, 41, 3000 block of 9th Street, Winthrop Harbor, Lake County, Illinois, was listed as a Registered Sexual Predator and was required to register for the duration of his life. Watts also advised he resided in Winthrop Harbor since October 2008 and failed to register as a sex offender for his place of residence. Watts further advised he was employed in the Village of Russell, Illinois since October 2008, and had not registered his place of employment. Watts was charged with two counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Class 4 Felony). Watts was later turned over to the Lake County Jail pending a bond hearing.

Traffic Arrests-
On 02/22/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 1200 block of Franklin Avenue for an Equipment Violation. The driver, Paula J. Hinckley, 42, of Winthrop Harbor was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a BAC Over .08, One Red Taillight, and Operation of an Uninsured Vehicle. Hinckley was later released on a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

On 02/22/09, an Officer received a complaint of a snowmobile operating in a reckless manner near the intersection of 9th Street and Sheridan Road. The driver, Adam E. Feltner, 34, of Winthrop Harbor was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and No Valid Registration. Feltner was later released on a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

On 02/23/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 1200 block of Sheridan Road for Improper Lane Usage. The driver, Jack L. Potts, 46, of Zion was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, and Improper Lane Usage. Potts was later released on a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

On 02/24/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 700 block of Sheridan Road for No Front License Plate. The officer smelled a strong odor of cannabis coming from inside of the vehicle and a search was conducted which resulted in the seizure of approximately 52 grams of a substance containing purported cannabis. The driver, Ariel Cruz, 24, of Zion was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Cannabis, Operation of an Uninsured Vehicle, and No Front Registration Plate. Cruz was later transported to the Lake County Jail pending a bond hearing.

On 02/28/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 400 block of Sheridan Road for Speeding. The driver, Deanna L. Byrd, 24, of North Chicago was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a BAC over .08, Driving While License Suspended, and Speeding 35 MPH over the Posted Limit. Byrd was later released on a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

On 02/28/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 2400 block of 9th Street for Speeding. The driver, Charles A. McDuffie, 52, of Kenosha, Wisconsin was arrested for Speeding and Driving While License Suspended. McDuffie was later released on a Notice to Appear pending a future court date.

On 02/28/09, an Officer working a contract detail in the Village of Wadsworth stopped a vehicle near the intersection of 9th Street and Delany Road for Speeding. The driver, Mario R. Santiago, 39, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin was charged with Speeding. After the officer completed a warrant check, Santiago was subsequently taken into custody for an active in-state warrant and transported to the Lake County Jail pending a bond hearing.

On 03/01/09, an Officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle in the 1400 block of April Lane. The driver, Angel Lujano, 34, of Boulder, Colorado was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a BAC over .08, and No Valid Driver's License. Lujano was later released on a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

On 03/01/09, an Officer stopped a vehicle in the 600 block of Sheridan Road for Speeding. The driver, Jeff D. Gray, 18, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin was subsequently taken into custody for Driving While License Revoked. An incident to arrest search was conducted and the officer located a clear plastic bag inside the coat pocket of Gray, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 16.1 grams of a substance containing purported cannabis. Gray was charged with Speeding, Driving While License Revoked, and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis. Gray was later released by a personal recognizance bond pending a future court date.

Note: Any person charged with an offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law. Persons named herein are merely alleged to have committed the offense(s) they are accused of.

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