Passenger arrested during DUI stop


November 20, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Police cited a man for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and arrested his passenger on charges of obstructing justice and resisting arrest, after finding them asleep in a running car Tuesday evening.

Officers were called to the area of East Philadelphia Avenue and Southern Boulevard about 8:50 p.m. for a report of two men slumped over in a car. Reports said when an officer arrived, he found Antuane Williams, 32, and William Staples, 21, both of Youngstown, in a car that was in the driveway of a vacant lot near Cottage Grove and was sticking halfway out into the street. Williams was in the driver’s seat, reports said.

Reports said the two appeared to be nodding their heads like someone sleeping. When the officer tried to wake up Williams and ask him for his license, he alternated between nodding off and talking and said he did not do anything wrong, reports said.

Staples then told Williams not to get out of the car, reports said. Reports said the officer opened the door but Staples grabbed Williams to hold him in the car. Williams and Staples whispered to each other and Staples was warned to let go or he would be arrested. Williams then hit the power lock on the doors but the officer was able to unlock them through the open driver’s door, reports said.

Williams got out of the car but refused efforts to be handcuffed, so he was taken to the ground and placed in handcuffs, reports said. Staples then started running away but tripped on a set of railroad tracks. He was sprayed in the face with chemical spray and taken to the ground but he would not hold up his arms to be handcuffed until he was warned that he would be stunned with an electronic stun weapon.

Staples was taken to the Mahoning County jail, and Williams was taken to the police station, reports said. Officers asked him to give a urine sample because they thought he was driving under the influence of drugs, but he refused, reports said. A cab was called to take him home after he was issued his citation.