CENTER TOWNSHIP — A 23-year-old Illinois driver topping speeds of 80 mph, ignoring a red light, passing a truck in a no-passing zone and turning out his headlights while followed by police later said he was on his to Valparaiso University to see his girlfriend, according to the incident report.
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The Porter County officer said he spotted the eastbound vehicle on Ind. 130 around 3:05 a.m. Thursday and clocked it at 80 mph in a 55-mph zone.
The vehicle continued to speed up through a 35-mph zone in the downtown Wheeler area, police said. When the vehicle turned off its lights, the officer prepared for a pursuit but eventually caught up with the driver.
The driver, Julio Rodriguez of Bridgeview, Illinois, reportedly told officers he was speeding to get to his girlfriend.
Police said they found 2 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, a glass smoking pipe and other paraphernalia.
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Rodriguez faces criminal charges of possessing marijuana and reckless driving.
Julio Rodriguez
Bob Kasarda
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
