Newton man arrested for OWI while license was revoked

A man wanted for fleeing the police was found and is being charged with operating while under the influence.

According to the criminal complaint, Romell L. Cochran, 32, of Newton, was charged with driving while license denied or revoked, interference with official acts, open container and windshield requirement violation at 1:08 a.m. Jan. 28 in the 1600 block of South 15th Avenue West.

A Newton Police Department officer observed Cochran driving a vehicle in the 1200 block of West 16th Street South. The officer knew Cochran’s driving status was barred and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Cochran fled from the NPD, who had activated sirens and lights in the patrol car.

The officer saw Cochran park his car in the 1600 block of West 16th Street South and fled on foot toward a nearby apartment complex. He disobeyed orders to stop and continued into the building, eluding the officer. The NPD officer was unable to locate Cochran. Upon checking his vehicle, the officer could see an alcoholic beverage in the front cup of the vehicle as well as a severely cracked windshield. A warrant was issued for Cochran’s arrest.

Then at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 22, Newton officers were on active patrol in the 1100 block of North Fourth Avenue East when they turned south on East 11th Street South, according to the criminal complaint. Officer noticed a vehicle that didn’t have registration plates and identified the driver as Cochran. The NPD caught the driver, who had pulled into a driveway and had gotten out of the car.

Officers made contact with Cochran and noted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. He refused to do any field sobriety tests but submitted a sample to the datamaster which returned a BrAC of .028. A Drug Recognition Expert was administered and the DRE called cannabis and alcohol.

Cochran admitted to smoking weed within the past few days. During the DRE, Cochran failed two sobriety tests. He also showed signs of impairment in other tests.

Cochran’s driver’s license is revoked until July 2021.

In addition to the warrant charges, Cochran was charged with operating while under the influence and another driving while license denied or revoked He was also cited for operating a non-registered vehicle and failure to provide proof of insurance.

He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail where he was released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. his preliminary hearing will be at 10 a.m. March 3.