Case of the Red Mercedes

NEWPORT, RI—William Bradford, 32, of Mansfield, Mass., was arrested on Friday at 3:25 a.m. after he allegedly went through a stop sign at Broadway and Farewell.

The arrest ended a long game of cat and mouse when police claim they repeatedly told Bradford he could not operate his vehicle, due to intoxication, and Bradford repeatedly tried to slip back into the car and evade officers who were monitoring the situation.

Bradford was discovered around 8:16 p.m. Thursday asleep at the wheel of his red Mercedes, which officers found halfway in the road. An officer went to check on the driver's welfare, since he appeared hunched over a cell phone. Initial repeated attempts to rouse him failed, however, and ultimately, the officer did succeed in waking him. Bradford was asked to step out of the car, which he did.

Bradford demanded to know if he was under arrest. He was told he was free to go but not to operate his car because he appeared to be intoxicated. Words followed. Police later said they told him they would help him go to a different location, if he would be more cooperative.

He allegedly made repeated attempts to return to the car and drive away. Finally, police say he started the ignition and went through the Broadway and Farewell intersection without stopping at the traffic sign. An officer was following him and stopped him.

He was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol, his first offense. He was also charged with Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test and cited for the traffic violation. Bradford was given a summons and released, police said.