A Saratoga man was arrested by Bethlehem police after they received a slew of 911 calls from drivers on Interstate 787 reporting highly erratic driving from a man in a Mustang who was allegedly pointing a silver object at passers-by.
Richard R. Couture, 53, of 30 Saratoga Lake Road, Saratoga Springs, was arrested Sunday, July 19, on Frontage Road in Bethlehem and charged with DWI.
Bethlehem police said they received calls to check Route 9W near Frontage Road for a blue Mustang convertible driving erratically on 787.
One caller told the dispatcher the driver showed `an object that was silver and possibly a gun,` according to his arrest report, and there were other reports to 911 of Couture `slowing down, speeding up and cutting off several other vehicles,` as well as other witnesses who said they were nearly hit by a blue Mustang.
One caller told dispatchers Couture allegedly `made a gesture with a finger like he was pointing a gun, and he had a silver object in the same hand,` the report states.
Police said officers discovered a car matching the description in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge off of 9W, and Couture was found sitting in the driver’s seat.
When interviewed about the complaints, he told police he drove on 787 from Cohoes where he had three Heineken beers. He was taken into custody after failing a field-sobriety test and testing positive for alcohol, according to police.
Couture’s vehicle was towed after he was transported to the Bethlehem Police Department, where he refused to take a chemical test three times and requested to speak to a lawyer, the report states.
Police said he was arraigned by Bethlehem Town Justice Ryan Donovan, who revoked his driver’s license `immediately` and set a $750 bail or $1,500 bond.
Other arrests:
` Paul Durlacher, 19, of 414 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, was arrested at Bethlehem Town Court on charges of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal mischief ` all felonies ` and possession of burglary tools, a misdemeanor.
Durlacher was in court for unrelated charges when he was arrested in connection with a burglary investigation at the Delmar Getty, according to the arrest report.
He was recently arrested Thursday, July 9, on Delaware Avenue on charges of DWI, refusal to take a breath test and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
Police said Durlacher was arraigned by Bethlehem Town Justice Ryan Donovan and transported to the Albany County Correctional Facility by the Albany County Sheriff’s Department in lieu of a $5,000 cash bail or bond.
` Gerald A. Ackerman, 43, of 24 Malibu Hill, Rensselaer, was arrested Friday, July 24, on Route 9W on charges of aggravated DWI, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.18 percent or greater; DWI; operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or greater; leaving the scene of a property-damage auto accident; and speeding.
Bethlehem police said they received a call about a vehicle leaving the roadway of Route 9W, striking a group of mailboxes, and then returning to the road and continuing north.
The driver of a vehicle in the southbound lane witnessed the incident, according to the arrest report, and turned around and followed the vehicle to the Cumberland Farms parking lot on 9W.
The man stayed until police arrived on the scene, and he identified Ackerman as the driver and turned over a set of keys from the vehicle in question, which he secured from Ackerman, the report states.
Police said they could smell `a strong odor of alcohol,` while interviewing Ackerman and observed him display signs of intoxication.
Ackerman did not have identification but gave officers his correct name, date of birth and social security number, according to police. He was given a field sobriety test, but could not finish due to a back injury, and tested positive for alcohol before being taken into custody without incident, the report states.
Police said Ackerman was evaluated after admitting to consuming oxycodone because of a recent back surgery and a chemical test revealed a BAC of triple the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
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