LA PLATA, Md. - The La Plata Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) today released the following incident and arrest reports.
On August 13, 2007, at approximately 11:46 p.m., Tpr. A. Ford was on routine patrol traveling south on U.S. Route 301, south of Acton Lane, when he observed a white Honda Civic traveling north on U.S. Route 301, south of Acton Lane without the required headlights. Trooper Ford initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver. While Tpr. Ford was conversing with the driver, the driver stated he did not have a license in his possession and that the car belonged to a friend. When Tpr. Ford asked the driver his name, he stated it was Bartolo Yopihua, when Tpr. Ford asked the driver to write it down, he wrote it on a notebook card as Baytolo Yaox and gave a DOB of 03/19/1980.
While Tpr. Ford continued conversing with the driver, he detected a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath. The driver’s eyes were red and glassy as well. When Tpr. Ford asked how much he had to drink, the driver replied he didn’t understand. From that point on the driver did not know very much English. A Spanish speaking interpreter was on the scene and assisted Tpr. Ford with the field sobriety tests. The driver was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol.
While the driver was being processed, his cell phone rang and he told Tpr. Ford to answer it. The driver was identified by the caller as Samuel Hernandez, 25, of Waldorf, Maryland. Hernandez was also charged with: did upon arrest, knowingly and with the intent to deceive, make a false statement to a peace officer concerning his identity and date of birth.