WARWICK, RI — Officer Ben Bratko was driving south on Warwick Avenue Oct. 27 at 1:13 a.m. when he spotted a silver Ford F-150 cross into oncoming traffic and pulled a U-turn to follow as it turned onto Airport Road speeding north, stopping and arresting the driver on a North Providence Police warrant.
Bratko made the stop at the intersection of Airport Road and Loveday Street, though the car continued to travel another 20 seconds after he signaled the car to stop with his emergency lights, according to the officer’s report.
Bratko identified the driver as Michael Poulin, 56, of 331 Rocky Hill Road, North Scituate, and noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath as they spoke, according to the report. The officer also noted his face was flushed red and his eyes were bloodshot.
Poulin told Bratko he hadn’t had anything to drink that night, and was headed to IHOP from his home. Poulin was unable to produce his license, but a check of DMV records revealed it had been suspended as a result of a DUI charge in 2016.
Poulin refused to take a series of sobriety tests, telling the officer, “No, I don’t want to do that.” After that, Bratko arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Poulin transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters,99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he also refused to submit to a breath test of his blood alcohol level.
Poulin charged Bratko with DUI, second offense, blood alcohol unknown, and cited him for refusing the breath test, speeding, driving without a license and violating marked lanes.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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