Police stop impaired driver, thanks to concerned citizen

A concerned citizen attracted the attention of nearby police officers in the area of Patrick Street near Railway Street, after observing a man who had been drinking get in to a vehicle to leave the area.

At approximately 4:55 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, police, who were in the area on a unrelated matter, observed the accused male departing from the area in his motor vehicle. According to a report dated Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, police were able to catch up to the vehicle being driven by the accused near the intersection of Fraser Street and Division Street and initiated a traffic stop.

A roadside alcohol device was used on the accused to test his level of alcohol. According to police, at approximately 5:05 p.m. the accused registered a fail and was subsequently arrested. The accused was transported to police headquarters where he provided two breath samples. The accused was found to have more than one and a half times the legal limit of alcohol in his system, police say.

A 44-year-old local man was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance while exceeding blood alcohol concentration.

The accused was later released with a future court date. His driver’s license is automatically suspended for 90 days and would face a one year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for 7 days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.