Stuttgart Arkansas PD Officer Johnson DWI 4 Wheeler

On Saturday, August 26th, 2023, Unit 51 Staton advised that he received a phone call about an intoxicated male that was driving a four wheeler at the gas station located at 22nd and Main. Myself and Ptl Hardin were already in the area and responded to the gas station. Upon arrival, there was a silver four wheeler located near a gas pump facing east on the south-side of the building. There was nobody near the four wheeler at this time. Shortly after, a black male wearing a white tank top, red hat, and blue jeans, later identified as Lapetrie L Thomas, exited the gas station and walked near the four wheeler. Thomas then began talking to an individual in another vehicle that was parked beside the four wheeler. Thomas then got onto to four wheeler and drove behind the gas station going towards South Main. Thomas never entered the roadway by cutting through businesses. Thomas then went behind the Tax Center located at the intersection of 20th and Main. At this time, I was traveling North on Main and could see Thomas traveling east on 20th. I continued traveling North on Main and went through the Petrus parking lot to get onto 19th quicker due to there being a line of vehicles at the intersection. I turned east onto East 19th Street and made it to 19th and College and observed the four wheeler entering the intersection of East 19th and South Grand at a high rate of speed, almost striking a truck that was traveling West on 19th. The truck swerved right and Thomas almost came to a stop and turned east. I initiated my lights and sirens and pursued Thomas. The four wheeler continued traveling East on 19th and turned south into the alley between Leslie and Grand. There was a red/maroon pickup in the alley to where I could not enter so I continued to 19th and Leslie. I turned South on Leslie and could see Thomas driving behind the houses. Thomas parked the four wheeler beside 1910 South Leslie, while it was still running, and began walking north-west behind the house toward the alley. I then began to run towards the alley and saw Thomas walking north, still in the alley. I instructed the Thomas to stop. Thomas stopped and began walking back towards me. Thomas and I began walking back to the residence where he left the four wheeler. While walking back, I advised Thomas that I witnessed him almost t-bone a truck in the intersection of 19th and Grand. I could smelled the odor of intoxicants coming from his persons and asked how much had he had to
drink. Thomas advised that he had a couple. Once back at 1910 South Leslie, Thomas provided his identification card. Dispatch advised that Thomas was suspended and was a probationer with an active search warrant on file. I then went to my unit to begin writing out a citation while Thomas stood by with other officers on scene. Ptl Hardin began the SFST during this time. Once I returned, I spoke with Thomas's wife, Crystal Thomas and asked for information regarding the four wheeler. At this time, Ptl Hardin placed Thomas under arrest. Mrs. Thomas advised that she had just purchased the four wheeler hours earlier. I ran the VIN through dispatch. Mrs. Thomas was able to retrieve the bill of sale and it was indeed bought on August 26th, 2023. Thomas was then transported to the Stuttgart Police Department for a BAC. Thomas did not having anything to drink, vomit or use the restroom. during the observation period. After the 20 minute observation period, I read Thomas his DWI rights. During this time, Thomas began telling me that he had been the victim of a shooting in 2020 that resulted in him being placed on a ventilator. Thomas advised that he did not want to refuse the BAC, but due to his previous injuries, that it will be hard for him to do the test. Thomas acknowledged his rights and wanted to attempt to take the test. Thomas gave three breath samples and the test results came back as insufficient. Thomas was offered another test at his own expense and refused. Thomas was released into the custody of his wife, Crystal Thomas, after signing an Alcohol Arrest Release Form.

Thomas was cited for the following:
Driving while suspended 27-16-303
Reckless driving 27-50-308
Running a stop sign 27-51-601
Driving while intoxicated 5-65-103