A judge ordered a man detained pre-trial after prosecutors said he was arrested in Zion when he was caught by officers driving under the influence for the eighth time.
Glenn S. Lale, 79, of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was indicted by a grand jury earlier this week on aggravated driving under the influence sixth or subsequent offense, a Class X felony, and driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class A misdemeanor.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said the Zion Police Department conducted a traffic stop on July 19.
A car was parked in traffic on Ezra Avenue at Route 173 in Zion. Heavy traffic was in the area and the car was blocking them, Theis said.
Lale was slumped behind the wheel of the car. Theis said officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from Lale’s breath and he was slurring his words.
He was ordered out of the car and Lale could not stand or walk on his own due to his intoxication, Theis said.
Officers could not perform field sobriety testing because of Lale’s condition.
Theis said Lale was arrested and a search of the car resulted in two open cans of beer, which were still cold.
Lale has seven previous operating while intoxicated violations out of Wisconsin, making this his eighth arrest, Theis said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Lale pending trial.
The petition was granted by Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak who found there were no conditions of release to ensure the community’s safety.
The judge noted Lale has numerous prior convictions for other offenses besides his numerous operating while intoxicated cases.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.