Police: Officer Uses Pepper Mace, Taser on Drunk Greenport Man Who Was Found Passed Out in Car

A Greenport man was arrested after engaging in a violent struggle with a police officer who had to use pepper mace and a taser to place the man in custody early Wednesday, Southold Town Police said.

According to police, while on patrol, an officer observed Victor M. Dubon Garcia, 24, passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle parked on the side of the road with the engine running and its headlights on at the corner of Third and Webb streets at about 12:43 a.m.

The officer attempted to perform tests on Garcia to determine his intoxication level when Garcia attempted to walk away from the scene, police said. The officer attempted to stop Garcia from leaving when Garcia started to struggle and fight with the officer, police said.

The officer engaged in a struggle with Garcia on the ground and had to use the pepper mace and the taser in order to gain control, police said.

Garcia was transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital to have mace irrigated from his eyes and the taser probes removed, police said.

Garcia is charged with DWI, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

Garcia was then transported to police headquarters, processed and held for arraignment Monday morning.