APD: Drunken Driver Tries to Switch Seats with Passenger
By: Officer George Spindler, APD
Updated: March 26, 2012
On Friday at approximately 4:40 p.m., Officer Kevin Ohnheiser was dispatched to a theft call at a business in the 1600 block of Highway 351. The calling party had notified APD that he had just left a checkout line after dropping his credit card. Upon return, he could not locate his credit card. Though the man cancelled the card, the man learned that his card had already been used without the cardholder's permission. A report for credit card abuse was taken and the investigation continues.
Yesterday at approximately 2:10 p.m., Officer Jim Craft was informed by a concerned citizen that a pickup truck that had just passed Officer Craft was likely just stolen based on observations the citizen had made seconds earlier. Officer Craft reported the circumstances to dispatch and attempted to stop the vehicle. The male suspect was the only occupant of the vehicle and he ignored Officer Craft's initial attempts to stop him. The suspect continued to disobey commands but finally stopped the vehicle as other officers converged to the scene at the 4300 block of Hartford Street. The investigation discovered that the man had indeed stolen the pickup truck. The quick observations made by the concerned citizen made all the difference in the early detection of a crime in-progress. The male suspect was arrested for felony theft and also cited for two traffic violations. APD takes this opportunity to remind our citizens that they can make a difference as the first line of defense in crime prevention.
Last night at approximately 8:07, Officer Andrew Valdez contacted a motorist for a traffic violation in the 1000 block of Victoria Street. As he went to contact the male driver, Officer Valdez observed the driver switch seats with the passenger. The vehicle had two other occupants inside, a female and another male. Officer Valdez detected indicators of intoxication from the male suspect. The driver of the vehicle was given standard field sobriety tests which he failed. The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) with open container. His charge was enhanced to a class A misdemeanor because of one prior conviction for DWI. During his investigation, Officer Valdez also contacted the male passenger that had switched seats with the original driver. He identified the male subject and during the course of his investigation the man surrendered a small quantity of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. The female occupant was also identified and she was found to have a local traffic warrant. The male passenger was arrested for possession of marijuana and the female occupant was arrested for her warrant. The male driver charged with DWI refused to provide a specimen at county jail.
Yesterday at approximately 2:10 p.m., Officer Jim Craft was informed by a concerned citizen that a pickup truck that had just passed Officer Craft was likely just stolen based on observations the citizen had made seconds earlier. Officer Craft reported the circumstances to dispatch and attempted to stop the vehicle. The male suspect was the only occupant of the vehicle and he ignored Officer Craft's initial attempts to stop him. The suspect continued to disobey commands but finally stopped the vehicle as other officers converged to the scene at the 4300 block of Hartford Street. The investigation discovered that the man had indeed stolen the pickup truck. The quick observations made by the concerned citizen made all the difference in the early detection of a crime in-progress. The male suspect was arrested for felony theft and also cited for two traffic violations. APD takes this opportunity to remind our citizens that they can make a difference as the first line of defense in crime prevention.
Last night at approximately 8:07, Officer Andrew Valdez contacted a motorist for a traffic violation in the 1000 block of Victoria Street. As he went to contact the male driver, Officer Valdez observed the driver switch seats with the passenger. The vehicle had two other occupants inside, a female and another male. Officer Valdez detected indicators of intoxication from the male suspect. The driver of the vehicle was given standard field sobriety tests which he failed. The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) with open container. His charge was enhanced to a class A misdemeanor because of one prior conviction for DWI. During his investigation, Officer Valdez also contacted the male passenger that had switched seats with the original driver. He identified the male subject and during the course of his investigation the man surrendered a small quantity of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. The female occupant was also identified and she was found to have a local traffic warrant. The male passenger was arrested for possession of marijuana and the female occupant was arrested for her warrant. The male driver charged with DWI refused to provide a specimen at county jail.
