On Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2:25 p.m. officers received a report of a possible intoxicated driver who had been involved in a collision at the Santa Monica Pier. The officers went to the scene and discovered that prior to their arrival, the person in question had attempted to leave by driving up the ramp of the pier. The officers were able to detain that individual, and decided to observe his condition.
Officers noticed that he displayed symptoms of slurred speech, watery eyes, an unsteady gait, and alcohol fumes emitting from his breath. These, the officers determined, were all signs of possible alcohol intoxication. The officers then had this man perform a series of balance and coordination tests, which, unsurprisingly to anyone reading this, he failed, probably dismally.
The officers did a pre-booking search, and discovered the following items in the suspect’s possession: a switchblade, prescription drugs (sans prescription), and marijuana. This 35-year-old Temple City man was charged with driving whilst impaired, possession of a switchblade, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and probation violation. His bail is $30,000.
Editor’s Note: This report is part of regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of the Mirror’s coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com.
