The officer activated lights and siren to stop the vehicle and the driver pulled into the parking lot at Dollar Tree.
The driver, , 47. Landrum said he was speeding because three men had threatened to harm him and damage his vehicle with a gun. He said he had just purchased the car, a red Pontiac G6, for his son.
He said he was taking the car to his mother’s residence and his girlfriend was going to take him back home. She drove up to the scene in a separate vehicle. She confirmed his version of events at the apartment complex.
The officer was informed over the radio Landrum was being sought because he had allegedly provided fireworks to children and then chased another man with a Roman candle.
No fireworks were visible in his car and the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Landrum’s breath. Asked how much he had to drink, he said two beers. He agreed to perform field sobriety tests but had trouble following instructions and performing them well.
He was placed under arrest and taken to the police station for processing. He was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and with speeding and taken home to his residence.
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