A Sumterville man previously arrested for exposing himself was nabbed on a charge of driving under the influence.
A concerned citizen called dispatchers about a man standing near a black Acura with an open sunroof in the Circle K parking lot, located at 2055 County Road 48, Bushnell, around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. This man, later identified as 56-year-old Darrick Ray Albert, was described as being “very” intoxicated.
A nearby deputy spotted the vehicle pulling into the parking lot behind Sweet Lickz ice cream, located at 1842 W. County Road 48. He watched as Albert got out of the driver’s seat, unsteady on his feet as he tried to walk from the vehicle. The deputy got closer and noticed how he swayed, had bloodshot eyes and thick-tongued speech. He also smelled of alcohol, the report said.
While speaking with Albert, he advised that he had a previous concussion, which was treated in December, and a back deformity due to old age. However, his behavior was consistent with the influence of alcohol. He told the deputy that he did not “feel that drunk,” but he agreed that he likely had too much to drink, the report said.
Albert subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, during which he almost lost his balance. He also refused to participate in one of the exercises and instead walked away to put his hands behind his back in an arrest position. He did not properly follow instructions for the rest of the exercises, the report said.
His performance led the deputy to conclude he was under the influence. A search of his vehicle yielded five empty 16 oz cans of Bud Light beer and two more unopened cans. He later provided breath samples of 0.304 and 0.286 blood alcohol levels, with the former being so high that he required a trip to UF Health Leesburg Hospital for medical clearance, the report said.
Albert was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center. He was released after posting $500 bond.
The Wisconsin native was previously arrested in this past October for allegedly exposing his penis to a woman who did not want to see it.