Hobart Township Trustee Arrested On OWI Charges
On Tuesday 7/20/2021 at approximately 11:30 am, A Lake Station Police officer conducted a traffic stop at 3820 Roche Street in Hobart, IN on a red Ford F150 passenger truck for: speeding, and unsafe lane movement, according to Lake Station Police. The driver of the truck was found to be Thomas Silich (02/25/1958) of Hobart, Indiana.
During the traffic stop, the Lake Station officer detected impairment with Mr. Silich, police told RNS. A Field Sobriety test was conducted and impairment confirmed, according to the report. The Lake Station Officer informed Thomas of Indiana Implied Consent Law, and asked he would submit to chemical test to which Thomas refused. Thomas Silich stated he was taking pills and he kept repeating himself, police stated.
A warrant for a blood draw was then applied for and granted by a judge.
Thomas Silich was transported to a local hospital where blood was drawn and will be forwarded to the State lab for results.
Thomas Silich was then taken into custody for OWI, & OWI-Refusal and transported to Lake County Jail.
Lake Station Police Chief Richardson was notified of the arrest because the person arrested was an elected official and driving an official vehicle.
Chief Richardson then notified Hobart – Township board and advised them of the situation. Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll was also notified and stated, “I am disappointed with an elected official behaving in this manner while working for Hobart Township.” “It’s a slap in the voters face and once again it gives Lake County a black eye,” Carroll added. “Shame of the abuse of power held with his position that he thinks he can drink and drive and be totally intoxicated by 12 pm. “Not once during the pandemic did he do anything for New Chicago or Lake Station, I feel for his staff who had to be subjected to his irrational behavior,” Carroll continued to say.
