UConn Police Catch Mansfield Resident Drinking While Driving

MANSFIELD, CT - University of Connecticut police managed to corral a speeding drunken driver who was barreling up Route 32 on Sunday at a local liquor store, according to an arrest report.

On 8:02 p.m. Sunday, a UConn officer observed a purple Ford Ranger driving on Route 32 at a high rate of speed, according to an arrest report. The driver then crossed the double yellow line as the Ford passed Ravine Road, according to an arrest report.

The UConn officer gacve chase and managed to pull the car over at the Bird Dog Liquor Store, according to a police report.

Police identified the driver as Samuel DeJesus-Padilla, 37, of 16 Cornell Road, Mansfield. Dejesus-Padilla had his driving privileges suspended and was operating the vehicle while drinking a beer, which was in plain sight, police said.

Dejesus-Padilla was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, traveling unreasonably fast, failure to drive right, and drinking while operating a motor vehicle and driving under the influence, according to an arrest report.