Westbrook Man Found With Heroin During Traffic Stop: State Police

WESTBROOK, CT — A Westbrook man was arrested after state police say he was operating under the influence and was found in the possession of heroin after a traffic stop early Saturday morning. At about 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 11, troopers from Troop F-Westbrook were conducting motor vehicle enforcement when they saw a vehicle being operated erratically.

Troopers stopped the motor vehicle on Route 9 in Chester and through the course of the traffic stop determined that the operator was possibly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs resulting in troopers administering the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to the operator, according to police.

Police say the operator, 28-year-old Austin Rinehart of Westbrook, failed a series of field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. Rinehart was also found in possession of heroin, police said.

Rinehart was arrested on charges of failure to maintain lane, driving under the Influence, possession of a narcotic substance and possession with intent to sell. Rinehart was released on bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court.

Photo via Connecticut State Police