BEDFORD – An Indianapolis man was arrested in Bedford early on Tuesday, June 3, after being found in a suspicious vehicle and allegedly showing signs of intoxication, refusing a blood draw, and making threats against officers.
At approximately 11:01 p.m. on June 2, Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner was dispatched to Hillcrest Circle regarding a suspicious blue Toyota 4Runner that was haphazardly parked in a front yard, partially blocking the roadway. The vehicle’s engine was running, and the driver’s door was open.
Officer Turner made contact with the driver, Ricardo Sanchez, 47, of Indianapolis. The officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed Sanchez’s speech was slow and slurred, and his eyes were red and glossy. Sanchez stated he was a travel nurse and was trying to sleep, claiming he had been drinking earlier in the evening. He mentioned he had consumed some IPA beers around 11:00 p.m., which he found to be stronger than expected.
Sanchez struggled to exit the vehicle and was unsteady on his feet. He initially agreed to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), showing clues of impairment during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, but then refused to complete further SFSTs or a preliminary breath test.
After being read Indiana’s Implied Consent Warning, Sanchez refused a chemical test and was placed in handcuffs. He stated he had been driving around, wasn’t from the area, and decided to pull over at that location to try to sleep and get sober. During an inventory of his vehicle, a half-empty open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in the passenger’s seat.
Sanchez was transported to the Bedford Police Department, where a search warrant for his blood was granted. At IU Health Bedford, Sanchez repeatedly refused to cooperate with the blood draw and had to be forcefully held down by officers. While at the hospital, Sanchez allegedly stated that if he were not in handcuffs, he would kill himself and Officer Hamilton, claiming that as an Army Ranger, he had the means to do so.
Sanchez was subsequently transported to the Lawrence County Jail. His vehicle was towed.
He faces charges including operating a vehicle while intoxicated and intimidation.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
