On November 28, 2024, at 11:06 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of South Mulberry Street. Upon arriving in the area officers were unable to locate to source of the disturbance. At that point officers began to check the area. During that check Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines located an unresponsive male in a running vehicle in the middle of the Las Islas Mexican Restaurant parking lot. At that point officers conducted a welfare check on the male who was identified as 21 year old Ervin Velazquez of Evansville. While speaking with Mr. Velazquez Deputy Wes Baumgart detected the odor of alcohol coming from Mr. Velazquez and began a roadside DUI investigation. Once that investigation was complete Mr. Velazquez was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Obtaining a Valid Operator’s License.
Assisting Deputy Baumgart in his investigation was Deputies U.B. Smith and Michael Owens. Also assisting in the investigation was Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
