Lacey Police Charge Woodbridge Man With Drunk Driving After He Asked People For Money At Gas Station: Cops

Lacey police recently arrested a Woodbridge man and charged him with drunk driving after he approached patrons at the Shell station on Lacey Road and asked them for money, Police Chief Michael DiBella said.

Officers Daniel Ricciardella and Michael Verwey responded to the gas station at 5:53 p.m. on Aug. 13 on a report of a suspicious man asking patrons for gas money, the chief said.

Gabriel A. Mercadel, 31, Highview Drive, drove to the station in a black vehicle that had fresh damage, DiBella said.

He was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence. He was taken to police headquarters, where he was also charged with reckless driving and driving with an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, the chief said.

The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law, he said.