Accused Drunk Driver Pulls Out Gun During Traffic Stop

WOODSTOCK, GA — A routine traffic stop on a man suspected of driving under the influence turned into a scuffle with the police when he pulled a gun from his pocket Tuesday morning in Woodstock. Officers were asked to be on the lookout for a possible drunk driver in the area of Highway 92, Trickum Road and Weatherstone Drive.

That BOLO was issued around 9:30 a.m. April 24 by Cherokee County 9-1-1 dispatchers, and noted the driver was behind the wheel of a black Mazda 3.

As a Woodstock officer turned from Trickum Road onto eastbound Ga. 92, he saw a vehicle matching the description provided by dispatchers, according to an incident report released by the Woodstock Police Department. The officer continued to follow the vehicle, which approached the traffic signal at the Walmart entrance near Arby's. That traffic signal turned red and the Mazda "did not stop until the entire vehicle was over the balk line," according to the report.

The officer followed the vehicle, which continued eastbound and turned left onto Weatherstone Drive. While traveling on Weatherstone, the vehicle hovered over center line and half of the Mazda veered over that line while negotiating a curve, the report alleges.

The Mazda turned into the driveway of a home in the 100 block of Weatherstone Drive and the officer activated his emergency lights. He approached the vehicle and the driver, identified as Robert Leon White, opened his door. The cop, who immediately smelled alcohol coming from the Mazda, told White to stay inside the vehicle, the report adds. He asked for his license, which was retrieved from the driver's wallet.

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"I asked Mr. White if he had been drinking and he stated he 'had a couple'," according to report. "I asked what he had been drinking and Mr. White reached (in)to the center console and picked up an open container of Mike's Harder Lemonade. The can was cold and half empty. There were two unopened cans in a plastic bag in the passenger seat."

White was asked to step out of the car, and the officer asked if he had any weapons on him. White said he did not have any weapons, but was asked to face the vehicle while the cop performed a pat-down. At that moment, White reached into his right, front pocket and pulled out a small black handgun while facing the vehicle.

Another officer who responded to the scene yelled, "he's got a gun!," and the officer conducting the pat-down reached for White's hand to retrieve the weapon, according to the report. The officer wrapped his arm around White to prevent him from turning around with the firearm in his hand.

He kept his hold on White while trying to get control of the gun and, the report notes, White struggled to get out of the officer's hold while "actively resisting."

Another officer pulled out his service weapon, placed it against White's head and ordered the man to drop the firearm. That officer was able to swipe the gun out of White's hand and the firearm fell onto the driveway.

"Mr. White continued resisting and fighting and brought his left hand across his body toward his open jacket," the report adds.

Both officers took the Woodstock resident to the ground, and two additional officers arrived to help subdue White. White suffered minor cuts to his forehead and temple area, which produced some bleeding. He was bandaged and agreed to provide a breath sample. He was transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center where an intox test that showed his blood alcohol level to be .226 and .229.

White, 62, was charged with four counts of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, weaving over roadway, DUI alcohol, traffic control device violation and open container of alcohol in vehicle, jail records show.

Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office