Police said Gary Anderson, left, was driving this lawn mower drunk when he rode into a police cruiser that was parked and unoccupied, causing minor damage. (Haines City Police Department)
Florida authorities say they arrested an inebriated man on a lawnmower who slammed into a police officer’s parked, unoccupied cruiser.
The alleged alcohol-fueled fender-bender in Haines City on Saturday evening caused minor damage to the cruiser's bumper and led to the arrest of Gary Anderson, 68, who police said had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, according to reports.
The officer was on a call when he heard a loud bang from inside a store, FOX13 Tampa reported.
Anderson allegedly told the officer he struck the cruiser but denied causing any damage. He also allegedly admitted being drunk. Anderson reportedly had a trailer with a large cooler attached to the lawn mower.
“I’m proud of the professional demeanor our officers showed when dealing with this heavily-intoxicated, belligerent offender,” Haines City police Chief Jim Elensky said in a statement. “It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel drunk, even if that wheel is to a Craftsman, Massey Ferguson or John Deere.”
While in custody, Anderson was driven to a hospital after he accused officers -- reportedly using foul language and racial slurs -- of trying to poison him with cocaine, FOX13 reported.
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Police said there was cocaine in Anderson's system when he was arrested.
The station reported Anderson allegedly told officers his driver’s license was suspended 41 years ago and he has never gotten it back.
Anderson was charged with committing a third DUI offense in 10 years and refusing to submit to a DUI test.
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He was being held in lieu of $3,000 bail.
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