Crime & Safety
Man Accused of Hiding Under Bush to Avoid Drunk Driving Arrest
Suspect said he wasn't driving drunk, so why then did he feel the need to allegedly hide from the deputies who pulled him over?
A 27-year-old Racine man is accused of driving drunk then running and hiding under a bush to avoid arrest by Racine County sheriff’s deputies.
Justin C. Outlaw was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Friday with one count of fourth offense operating while intoxicated within five years, four counts of bail jumping and one count of obstructing an officer. If convicted, he faces up to 7 ½ years in prison and $70,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint, on Thursday, a Racine County sheriff’s deputy was heading southbound on Highway 31 near 16th Street when he noticed a car straddling the middle and right lanes of traffic. The car continued straddling the lanes for 100 feet before going into the right lane.
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When the deputy then tried to pull the car over, however, it then took a sharp turn onto Margery Drive and continued to the parking lot of an apartment complex. Reports indicate the driver got out and ran on foot from deputies.
Outlaw was found a short time later hiding under a bush in the 5800 block of Jo Ann Drive, but he denied driving, deputies reported, saying he was at the apartment complex visiting his girlfriend. When asked why he was hiding under a bush, Outlaw said he did it because he doesn’t like cops.
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The car was registered to Outlaw’s girlfriend, and she told authorities he had borrowed the car from her the day before. Outlaw failed field sobriety tests and was then taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center for a blood test.
Outlaw was previously convicted of OWI in 2004, 2009 and May 1. He’s currently being held in Racine County Jail on $5,000 bail while awaiting trial.