An Ashtabula County man has been charged with multiple misdemeanors after driving through Chardon Square around 3:40 p.m. Aug. 31.
Randy V. Rodriguez, 44, of Jefferson, was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, reckless operation, criminal damaging, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.
He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in Chardon Municipal Court at 8 a.m. Sept. 5.
Rodriquez was observed driving a blue pickup truck into Chardon Square, running over bushes and flowers, and hitting a tree. He pulled attempted to leave the park when a City of Chardon police cruiser blocked his path at the southeast corner of the square.
Several other police officers arrived on scene to help with the arrest.
Police Chief Scott Niehus said the situation could have been much worse, as children were walking home from Park Elementary School at the time of the incident.
