Lake Station Man Offers State Trooper Money and a Dancing Horse to Avoid OWI Arrest
On March 21, 2025, Indiana State Police were completing a traffic stop near the MM6 on 80/94 eastbound when the Trooper was alerted to a white Nissan with Illinois plates that had just passed and was swerving erratically in the right lanes. The Trooper activated his emergency lights and siren to catch up to the vehicle. The Trooper observed the vehicle swerving erratically from left to right without a turn signal, crossing lanes of travel, and almost striking multiple other vehicles. After activating the siren a few times, the vehicle eventually pulled over onto the right shoulder of the roadway.
According to court documents, the Trooper had to knock on the window of the vehicle before the driver realized the Trooper was next to him and was wanting him to roll the window down. The Trooper observed the driver’s eyes to be bloodshot and watery, and a heavy odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage was emanating from the vehicle. The driver handed the Trooper a Mexican Consulate Card, which identified the driver as Emmanuel Alvarado. The Trooper asked Alvarado if he had the registration for the vehicle, and he handed the Trooper unopened mail from Chase Bank. The Trooper asked Alvarado if he had anything to drink today. Alvarado indicated that he had not. He also informed the Trooper he had not taken any medication or drugs.
However, according to court documents, Alvardo later advised the Trooper that he has an issue with drinking. When questioned again about how much he’d had to drink that day, Alvarado now stated that he had one drink. When asked what time that last drink had been that day, Alvarado responded, “24 hours” and stated the drink had been whiskey.
The Trooper provided instructions for field sobriety tests to Alvarado, who was unable to follow the instructions provided to him. According to court documents, Alvarado informed the Trooper he would not be able to do the tests. The Trooper asked Alvarado to just try his best. Alavardo stated, “To be honest right now, with my situation, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do it.”
Alvarado turned around and put his hands behind his back, like he wanted the Trooper to handcuff him. The Trooper advised Alvarado that he did not want to handcuff him and wanted to speak with him more. Alvarado declined to perform any more tests.
The Trooper then offered Alvarado a portable breath test. At this time, according to court documents, Alvarado began to name drop a lawyer in Lake County that he only referred to as “Johnny.” He also began telling the Trooper to ask the Sheriff and another official about him, telling the Trooper that they would get him out of jail. Alvarado provided a PBT sample of 0.372. Alvarado had to sit on the hood of his car for support. Alvarado was placed under arrest and informed the Trooper that he would consent to a blood draw.
According to court documents, on the way to the hospital and while at the hospital, Alvarado tried to bribe the Trooper to let him go. Alvarado offered the Trooper tens of thousands of dollars and even a dancing horse, if he would let Alvarado go. When the Trooper informed Alvarado that he could not be bribed, Alvarado then proceeded to threaten the Trooper. Alvarado stated that he had people on their way to the hospital that would cause serious trouble and that they would find the Trooper later. Alvarado then continued to attempt to bribe the Trooper, telling the Trooper that he could come work for Alvarado and make a lot more money. The blood draw was completed by hospital staff and Emmanuel Alvarado was transported to Lake County Jail.
A BMV review was conducted which revealed that Alvarado had been declared a habitual traffic violator in 2022 and had multiple prior OWI convictions. Additionally, Dispatch advised that Emmanuel Alvarado has 3 outstanding warrants from 3 different counties in Indiana.
On March 26, 2025, Emmanuel A. Alvarado was charged with:
Bribery: F5 Felony
Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Offender: F6 Felony
Operating While Intoxicated: Prior Conviction: F6 Felony
Intimidation: F6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person: Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated: Class A Misdemeanor
