Racine Co. Sheriff's Office: Burlington man arrested, 'open intoxicants' and firearms found in car

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Racine County sheriff's officials say a 34-year-old Burlington man was arrested Saturday, Feb. 5, after allegedly driving under the influence with open intoxicants in the car and refusing to follow deputies' orders. 

According to the sheriff's office, a deputy observed a truck deviating from its lane while driving southbound on State Highway 36 in the Village of Waterford around 2:26 a.m. Officials say the driver -- identified as Christopher Rice -- turned eastbound and accelerated to nearly 75 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone before quickly pulling off the roadway onto the shoulder. 

The sheriff's office says a deputy pulled behind the truck, and Rice partially opened the window. 

The deputy reported smelling intoxicants coming from inside the vehicle and said Rice had slurred speech and red, glassy eyes. 

Deputies ordered Rice to exit the truck, but he allegedly refused over 20 commands.  

A 36-year-old passenger in the truck stepped out of the vehicle and deputies reported observing an "open intoxicant" inside. Authorities say Rice then got out of the vehicle as well, and additional open intoxicants were seen inside the truck. 

Deputies say they arrested Rice and located two handguns on him -- a loaded revolver and a loaded Sig Sauer. 

Authorities searched the truck and reportedly located two open bottles of beer, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, a loaded sawed-off short-barreled shotgun and multiple rounds of ammunition. 

Rice was taken to the Racine County Jail where he was held on $6,300 bail for the following offenses:

  • Operating while intoxicated -- 1st offense
  • Obstructing
  • Poession of a short-barreled shotgun
  • Armed while intoxicated 

In a statement, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said, “This year the Sheriff’s Office has already conducted 45 investigations regarding impaired drivers. This case is even more aggravated because the suspect was armed with multiple loaded weapons, and he did not comply with the deputy’s lawful commands.  Know this: The Sheriff’s Office is ever on the hunt for impaired drivers – if you decide to endanger the public by operating a vehicle while impaired, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will take you to jail.” 

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