Staff report

LIBERTY — Dispatchers were worried about nearby individuals as Liberty police apprehended a Girard man accused of driving recklessly Sunday night.

James Minerd, 43, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence, open container of alcohol and fictitious plates at his appearance in Girard Municipal Court Tuesday morning.

According to the Liberty police report, an officer on patrol near the Belmont Avenue McDonald’s noticed a red Chevrolet truck with a flat passenger-side tire and additional damage heading west from the nearby Walmart parking lot.

Several more units were dispatched to Walmart, with dispatchers telling officers that the vehicle had struck several things in the store’s parking lot. Dispatchers also said the man was “very drunk” and was “going to kill someone,” the report states.

The reporting officer made contact with Minerd, who was unsteady on his feet, and requested he walk toward the patrol vehicle.

The officer asked Minerd if he had hit a car at Walmart, to which he replied, “No, a car hit me.” He was subsequently detained in handcuffs, and in doing so, the officer noticed a strong alcoholic beverage odor and slurred speech from Minerd, who also denied having a flat tire when asked about it.

Other officers at the scene reached out to several witnesses in the store’s parking lot, who saw Minerd strike a concrete barrier and proceed to drive away. One witness was able to take a picture of the vehicle, which matched Minerd’s truck,the report states.

The witness saw Minerd strike a concrete pole, followed by two additional crashing sounds.

The report states the vehicle’s registration was determined to be fictitious, with the previous plate returning to the truck. Officers also noticed an open container of Black Velvet liquor and a small shooter container near Minerd’s door.

Minerd also admitted to taking several prescription medicines before consenting to a field sobriety test, the report states.

He was unable to stay in position for the walk-and-turn portion of the test, starting it without being told to do so. The test and the one-leg stand assessment were terminated due to the risk to Minerd’s safety.

Minerd was placed in handcuffs again and was told he was under arrest for driving under the influence.

A search of his vehicle following his arrest revealed a plastic baggie with an unknown white powder, the report states. When asked if it was cocaine, Minerd said, “I don’t know; put it up to my nose. I’ll tell you what it is.”

Minerd was taken to the Girard Police Department, where he declined to give a breath sample. He was eventually given courtesy transportation home.

Minerd is set to appear back in court for pretrial May 21, court records show.