The Stafford Sheriff’s Office says an Alexandria man was arrested for DUI Sunday afternoon after a deputy witnessed him drinking while driving on Jefferson Davis Highway.
Police observed a Toyota RAV4 swerving in the lane of travel of Jefferson Davis Highway near Potomac Creek. The vehicle was also traveling well below the posted speed limit. Police were able to pull up beside the vehicle in an unmarked patrol car and witnessed the driver take a drink from what appeared to be a beer bottle.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as 31 year old Marvin Oritz Lara. The half consumed beer he had been drinking had been placed under a blanket in the vehicle. A child was observed inside the vehicle. Field sobriety tests were administered and Ortiz Lara was arrested for DUI.
Lara was charged with DUI with elevated BAC while transporting a juvenile, no operator’s license and drinking while driving. He was held on a $1,500 unsecure bond. A booking photo is not available.
This was one of 10 DUI arrests this weekend. Police say if you are going to drink alcohol, have a sober driver.
In another DUI case, a suspect in line at a local convenience store was arrested for DUI Sunday as he attempted to purchase a case of beer.
Police were alerted to a drunk driver that had driven to Mr. B’s at 375 Warrenton Road. Police located the suspect vehicle unoccupied in the parking lot. Upon entering the store, the driver was found in line purchasing a case of beer.
The driver was identified as 43-year old Manuel Melendez of Stafford. Melendez was unsteady on his feet and smelled of an alcoholic beverage. Field sobriety tests were administered and he was arrested for DUI.
Melendez was charged with DUI second offense in five years with an elevated BAC. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 secure bond.
