Firebird Driver Blew 2 Stop Signs Before DUI Charge: Blotter

DUI Stop Follows Public Drinking

Charles J. Edwards, 53, of the 21700 block of Olive Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, driving with a revoked license and illegally transporting alcohol, according to a Chicago Heights police report.

Members of the Humane Society pointed out a group of people drinking in a parking lot at about 1:32 p.m., the report states. A few moments later, an SUV driven by one of the people in the group that was drinking pulled out of the lot. Police stopped the car near the intersection of 10th Street and Union Avenue.

The driver, Edwards, had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, the report states. Police found the Edwards had a revoked license and arrested him. While in custody, he submitted to field sobriety tests and a breath test. During a search of the SUV, police uncovered an open bottle of Steel Reserve alcohol.

Firebird Weaves Through Traffic

Octavio Rodriguez, 28, of the first block of West Hickory, Chicago Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving too fast for conditions, disobeying a stop sign and improper passing, according to a report.

An officer watched a black Pontiac Firebird weave through traffic and blow two stop signs before pulling it over at about 9:19 p.m. near the intersection of Main Street and Chicago Road, the report states. The driver, Rodriguez, had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath when he spoke. He attempted to take tests for intoxication but was unable to finish them. Rodriguez was then arrested and taken to the Chicago Heights Police Department for booking.

Police report information is provided by the Chicago Heights Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.