APD: Drunken Man Drives Head-On Toward Patrol Car
By: Officer George Spindler, APD
Updated: July 11, 2012
Yesterday morning at about 9:10, Officer Michael Janusz responded to a forgery in progress call at a business in the 1200 block of Grape Street. APD dispatch received notification from the business that a male subject showed up to cash a check that they determined was stolen that morning from the victim. Abilene City Marshall Tristan Parnell was nearby and assisted with the call. He detained the male subject and learned that the man was wanted on a parole violation. Officer Janusz' investigation revealed that the check the subject was attempting to cash was stolen out of a vehicle for which Abilene Christian University Police officers had taken a report. The subject was arrested for the outstanding warrant and for the charge of forgery.
Early this morning at about 12:20, Officer Damien Hutchinson was traveling east bound on Ambler Avenue when a car traveling west bound crossed the center lane and went head-on towards Officer Hutchinson's patrol vehicle. Officer Hutchinson activated his emergency lights and contacted the motorist in the 2200 block of Ambler Avenue only after the motorist drove several blocks further before pulling over. Officer Hutchinson contacted the male driver and smelled the odor of alcohol. During this investigation, Officer Hutchinson detected signs of intoxication shown by the driver and learned that the driver had consumed several bottles of beer. The driver was given field sobriety tests which he failed. Officer Hutchinson arrested him for driving while intoxicated (DWI). The driver refused to provide breath samples, so a blood sample was taken at a local hospital. The driver was charged with an enhanced charge of felony DWI because a records check confirmed he had previous convictions for DWI. This investigation continues.
This morning at about 5:20, Officers Gabe Thompson and Rusty Antilley responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 2800 block of South Sixth Street. APD Dispatch received notification from a female victim that her husband was causing problems at the home and that she had been assaulted. Officer Thompson's investigation revealed that the husband had pushed his wife and caused her to sustain a back injury for which she refused medical treatment. Evidence of the assault was visible on the victim. The husband was arrested for assault family violence.
As part of the Watch Your Car initiative conducted by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the "You Hold the Key" campaign increased understanding among Texans that leaving doors unlocked and keys in the ignition results in roughly 50,000 stolen vehicles in Texas every year. Stolen vehicles, the campaign reminds drivers, is a "gateway" to other crimes. Learn more about what you can do to prevent auto theft at: http://ftp.txdmv.gov/pub/txdot-info/atpa/fact_sheet_2012.pdf.
Early this morning at about 12:20, Officer Damien Hutchinson was traveling east bound on Ambler Avenue when a car traveling west bound crossed the center lane and went head-on towards Officer Hutchinson's patrol vehicle. Officer Hutchinson activated his emergency lights and contacted the motorist in the 2200 block of Ambler Avenue only after the motorist drove several blocks further before pulling over. Officer Hutchinson contacted the male driver and smelled the odor of alcohol. During this investigation, Officer Hutchinson detected signs of intoxication shown by the driver and learned that the driver had consumed several bottles of beer. The driver was given field sobriety tests which he failed. Officer Hutchinson arrested him for driving while intoxicated (DWI). The driver refused to provide breath samples, so a blood sample was taken at a local hospital. The driver was charged with an enhanced charge of felony DWI because a records check confirmed he had previous convictions for DWI. This investigation continues.
This morning at about 5:20, Officers Gabe Thompson and Rusty Antilley responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 2800 block of South Sixth Street. APD Dispatch received notification from a female victim that her husband was causing problems at the home and that she had been assaulted. Officer Thompson's investigation revealed that the husband had pushed his wife and caused her to sustain a back injury for which she refused medical treatment. Evidence of the assault was visible on the victim. The husband was arrested for assault family violence.
As part of the Watch Your Car initiative conducted by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the "You Hold the Key" campaign increased understanding among Texans that leaving doors unlocked and keys in the ignition results in roughly 50,000 stolen vehicles in Texas every year. Stolen vehicles, the campaign reminds drivers, is a "gateway" to other crimes. Learn more about what you can do to prevent auto theft at: http://ftp.txdmv.gov/pub/txdot-info/atpa/fact_sheet_2012.pdf.
