Perth County OPP pulled two impaired drivers off St. Marys area roads on the weekend, including one with a loaded gun inside his truck. At 2 a.m. on Monday morning, a Dodge Ram pickup truck was spotted travelling significantly under the posted 80 km/h speed limit along Hwy. 7 south of St. Marys. Police pulled the vehicle over after it turned north onto Perth Road 120A the extension of James St. South. The officer detected the odour of alcohol on the driver’s breath and administered a breath test, which the driver failed.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm and ammunition inside, which was seized. The 31-year-old Perth South man failed two Intoxilyzer breath tests at the OPP Detachment in Sebringville and was charged with driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. He was also charged with possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, and transporting a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner.
He was held in custody pending a bail hearing that was scheduled to take place in Stratford Monday. His driver s licence was suspended for 90 days and his truck was impounded for seven days. In another incident on Friday night in St. Marys, Perth County OPP arrested and charged a 49-year-old Winnipeg man who attempted to avoid a RIDE program. While conducting the Reduce Impaired Drivers Everywhere (RIDE) program on Queen Street East at around 11:30 p.m. Friday, officers saw a sedan pull out of the row of stopped vehicles, turn into the Independent Grocers driveway and stop in the parking lot of the closed store.
Officers went to the car and spoke to the man who had stepped out from behind the wheel. He showed signs of impairment and was arrested, and later failed two Intoxilyzer breath tests at the Sebringville detachment. The 49-year-old man was charged with impaired driving and driving with more than 80 mg. in 100 ml. of blood. He was also charged with failing to comply with an undertaking, related to a previous court appearance.
He was released and is scheduled to appear in Stratford court on Feb. 22 to answer to the charges.