Post by nocops on Dec 8, 2006 9:43:08 GMT -5
December 8, 2006
A veteran Lake Wales police lieutenant who has served as the liaison officer to the community has been suspended without pay after being stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. Lt. Bobby Smith, 46, was also charged with driving with an open container of alcoholic beverages, running a stop sign and fleeing to elude police.
Smith had blood alcohol level of 0.162 and 0.160, which is about twice the legal limit, when he was tested at the Polk County Jail. He was released from jail Thursday. The arrest of Smith, who was off duty at the time, involved three law enforcement agencies. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit, Avon Park police Detective Jake Bratten, who lives south of Lake Wales, was on his way home when he spotted a car being driven erratically north on U.S. 27. Bratten stopped Smith near Washington Avenue and called Lake Wales police for assistance.
Lake Wales police arrived on the scene, but the stop had been made outside the city limits, so the Sheriff's Office was contacted. At that point, reports said, Smith cranked up his red 1990 two-door Dodge and drove away, running a stop sign in the process.
When Lake Wales Lt. Jody Elrod pursued in a patrol car, Smith pulled over a second time after having gone about a quarter mile.
www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS/61208020/1004
A veteran Lake Wales police lieutenant who has served as the liaison officer to the community has been suspended without pay after being stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. Lt. Bobby Smith, 46, was also charged with driving with an open container of alcoholic beverages, running a stop sign and fleeing to elude police.
Smith had blood alcohol level of 0.162 and 0.160, which is about twice the legal limit, when he was tested at the Polk County Jail. He was released from jail Thursday. The arrest of Smith, who was off duty at the time, involved three law enforcement agencies. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit, Avon Park police Detective Jake Bratten, who lives south of Lake Wales, was on his way home when he spotted a car being driven erratically north on U.S. 27. Bratten stopped Smith near Washington Avenue and called Lake Wales police for assistance.
Lake Wales police arrived on the scene, but the stop had been made outside the city limits, so the Sheriff's Office was contacted. At that point, reports said, Smith cranked up his red 1990 two-door Dodge and drove away, running a stop sign in the process.
When Lake Wales Lt. Jody Elrod pursued in a patrol car, Smith pulled over a second time after having gone about a quarter mile.
www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS/61208020/1004