BEDFORD — A Friday evening traffic stop at a local gas station led to the arrest of a Bedford man after he allegedly attempted to provide officers with his brother’s identity to avoid being caught on outstanding warrants.
James S. Zaragoza, 27, faces new charges of marijuana possession in addition to his existing Lawrence County warrants following the incident at Revere’s Food & Fuel.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. on March 13, Indiana State Police Trooper Mackenzi Alexander was pulling into the gas station near the intersection of State Road 450 and State Road 158. The trooper observed a maroon 2008 Pontiac and conducted a routine license plate check, which revealed the registered owner had a suspended license.
After confirming the driver matched the description of the owner, Trooper Alexander initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the passenger side of the vehicle, the trooper reported immediately smelling the odor of marijuana.
While the driver was being questioned, the passenger claimed he did not have a license and identified himself as “Andrew Zaragoza.” According to the probable cause affidavit, the passenger appeared unsure when asked for his date of birth.
A records check for Andrew Zaragoza returned a photo that did not match the man in the car. The ruse fell apart when a Bedford Police Officer arrived to assist. During the conversation, the passenger “slipped up,” first trying to say Andrew before ultimately admitting his name was actually James Zaragoza. He confessed that he had initially provided his brother’s name to the trooper.
A search of the passenger’s true identity revealed that James Zaragoza was wanted on active warrants out of Lawrence County. He was immediately detained and placed in handcuffs.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located a THC pen hidden under the passenger seat. Zaragoza reportedly admitted the device belonged to him. The contents later field-tested positive for marijuana/THC.
Zaragoza was transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing on the following charges: possession of marijuana, and warrants for escape, failure to return to lawful detention, and a probation violation.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
