Odd behavior led to the arrest of a drunk driving suspect at a local 7-Eleven.
Officers were parked at 7-Eleven, located at 2058 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, when they noticed a black passenger car pulling into the parking lot around 2:50 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. The vehicle remained parked for several minutes, prompting one of them to approach and make sure the driver, 48-year-old Brandon Michael Delle-Donne of Hollywood, was not lost.
The officer returned to the others after talking to Delle-Donne, who had since turned the vehicle off and went into the store with the female passenger. He told them that he could smell alcohol coming from the vehicle, the report said.
The officers watched Delle-Donne and the passenger as they left the store and walked back to the vehicle. He swayed when he walked, causing his strides to widen. They then got back into the vehicle and turned on the ignition, but for public safety, an officer got behind them to stop them from leaving the parking lot, the report said.
An officer approached Delle-Donne and immediately smelled alcohol when he rolled down the window. He explained the reason for coming up and asked if he had been drinking. Delle-Donne said he had, but when asked where, it seemed he advised he forgot. When asked to repeat what he said, the officer could not understand his response, the report said.
While speaking with Delle-Donne, the officer noticed his eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slurred and the odor of alcoholic drinks was made stronger as he spoke. He was subsequently asked to participate in field sobriety exercises, and he agreed. He turned the vehicle off, put the keys in his pocket, and got out to speak with the officer as the passenger became agitated, the report said.
Delle-Donne was asked again if he would participate in the exercises, but he refused. He understood the adverse consequences when they were explained to him, and he still did not want to do them. He later refused to submit a breath sample, as well, the report said.
The vehicle was ultimately towed from the scene. While taking inventory of it, a Stanley drink tumbler was found with a strong odor of alcoholic drinks. Additionally, a plastic cup from Eaton’s Beach Sandbar and Grill was found with condensation still on it, the report said.
Delle-Donne was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit to lawful breath test. The Pennsylvania native was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $4,000 bond.