Rochester

Rochester police welcome 2013 by nabbing New Year’s Day drunks

By Mary Beth Almond
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER — While many New Year’s Eve celebrations had come to an end — and even when a couple were still winding down — Rochester police kept busy the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, arresting some who had partied a little too hard.

Police Chief Steve Schettenhelm said the activity level on New Year’s Eve and the morning of New Year’s Day was “pretty comparable” to previous years. On any given day, as many as four Rochester officers can be assigned to a shift, he said, but for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the department had five officers working.

“We do have one additional officer that comes in from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. to assist the other officers that are on duty that day, based on the activity level,” he said.

At approximately 1 a.m. Jan. 1, Rochester police arrested a 22-year-old Troy man for causing a disturbance at a bar in the 200 block of Main Street. After being removed from the building, police said, the subject made several attempts to re-enter the establishment, despite multiple warnings. The subject also made attempts to enter a limousine that he had not contracted, and had difficulty walking and standing, according to police. The man, who became combative with police and fire personnel, was taken into custody and later charged with disorderly intoxication. A preliminary breath test revealed a 0.19 percent blood-alcohol content.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Rochester police arrested a 23-year-old Ypsilanti man. The subject was being escorted from a bar in the 200 block of Main Street following an altercation inside, when he assaulted a staff member.

“Somehow a chair became involved in that, and the staff was struck with the chair and received some facial injuries that are still being evaluated,” Schettenhelm said. “It didn’t appear to be accidental.”

The suspect fled north through the alley, where patrol officers apprehended him.

After being treated at the scene, the victim — a doorman at the establishment — was transported to Crittenton Hospital.

Schettenhelm said the case remains under investigation, pending results of the medical examination to determine the extent of the victim’s injuries.

“Right now we just know that the doorman has facial injuries that were caused by parts of a chair. We’re determining, with the help of the medical staff, what the extents of the injuries are. Sometimes those things aren’t really known for a few days, so that will determine what the charges will be on that case,” he added.

Police said the results of the investigation would be forwarded to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., a 37-year-old Romeo woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated near the intersection of University and Pine streets. The driver was initially stopped after a patrol officer observed her vehicle swerving and failing to stay in its lane. She was arrested, taken to the police station and given a breath test, which revealed a 0.23 percent blood-alcohol content.

Approximately 15 minutes later, Rochester police arrested a 22-year-old Troy man for operating while intoxicated near the intersection of University and Walnut streets. The driver was initially stopped for speeding and crossing a double yellow line. His blood-alcohol content was 0.14 percent.

A 20-year-old Kalamazoo man was arrested near the intersection of University and Madison streets for operating while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia at approximately 4:30 p.m. The driver was initially stopped for speeding, but was found to be intoxicated, and a marijuana pipe and a marijuana grinder were in his vehicle. His blood-alcohol content was 0.15 percent.

It was just another day on the job for Rochester police, according to Schettenhelm, who said they aim make the roadways as safe as possible every night and to make sure that people enjoying the nightlife in the establishments downtown are able to do so safely.

“That’s the ultimate goal every night: to make the downtown, and the city itself, as safe as possible,” he said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at malmond@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1060.