'Uncooperative' Middletown Man Pumps Gas While Drunk: Police

Police were dispatched to Irving Gas Station, 543 Washington St., Middletown, for a report of an intoxicated man who arrived in a grey Ford pick-up truck.

Sgt. Daniel Petrulis arrived at approximately 8:04 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, and saw the truck parked next to a gas pump. He observed the driver, Richard Sweet, 60, of 52 North Main St., Middletown, allegedly stumbling out of the gas station.

Sweet reportedly fell into the side of the truck twice before he began to pump gas, leaning on the truck to steady himself, according to Middletown police.

Petrulis approached Sweet and asked him what he was doing. Sweet reportedly told the officer to “go away” and to “get lost.”

According to the arraignment report, Sweet was uncooperative and slurring his words. Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

Sweet reached into his right front pants pocket and the officer asked him to remove his hand from his pocket. Sweet decline dot do so and Petrulis put his left hand on Sweet’s right hand, in case the man was going to reach for a weapon, police said.

“Richard Sweet began to struggle with Sgt. Petrulis, who performed a hip toss and took Richard Sweet to the ground,” according to the arraignment report. “Richard Sweet was handcuffed and searched, which led to the discovery of a knife in the pocket where Richard Sweet had his hand.”

Witnesses gave statement stating he entered the gas station and stumbled around, falling into racks of merchandise.

Sweet reportedly told police he drove to the gas station after leaving work in Middlefield. He said he had one beer at 5 p.m. and finished drinking it at 6 p.m.

Police said Sweet agreed to take a breathalyzer test but did not perform the test as he was instructed. The test was classified as “refusal by conduct” after a fifth attempt, police said.

Sweet was arrested on the following charges:

• Operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Interfering with an officer
• Attempt to commit a crime
• Assault in the first degree

He was issued a surety bond of $200,000 and a court date of Jan. 16.