Arrested on felony DUI charges within a recent five-day stretch were, clockwise from upper left, Desmond J. Hopkins, James A. Boone, Paul J. Mulrooney, and Michael A. Zimmer. (Submitted photos/Delaware State Police)
HARRINGTON — Police made four felony drunken driving arrests within a recent five-day stretch in Kent County, including one for a seventh alleged offense.
Michael A. Zimmer, 52, of the 1000 block of Hog Town Road in Harrington, was stopped last Wednesday morning as Delaware State Police checked on an apparent expired temporary registration, and further investigation ensued after “the odor of an alcoholic beverage (was smelled) coming from the interior of the vehicle,” according to an probable cause affidavit.
“Michael stated he had not consumed any alcoholic beverages and later stated he last consumed alcoholic beverages last night at approximately (10 p.m.),” a trooper wrote in court papers.
“Michael continued and stated he consumed Methadone prescription medication approximately two hours before my contact.”
Police said the stop was made on Farmington Road south of Hammondtown Road at approximately 10:03 a.m.
Mr. Zimmer was taken into custody after performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and a Portable Breath Alcohol Test, according to authorities in the affidavit.
After transport to DSP Troop 3, police said Mr. Zimmer consented to a Drug Recognition Evaluation and afterward “it was still determined that Michael had operated a motor vehicle while impaired,” court documents said.
Other charges, among others, included driver’s license suspended/revoked and no proof of insurance.
Police said Mr. Zimmer had previous DUI convictions in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999, including four in Kent County and two in Sussex County.
Other arrests included:
• Desmond J. Hopkins, 53, of the 300 block of High Street in Smyrna, on Aug. 9 for a third DUI charge, and driver’s license suspended/revoked.
• Paul J. Mulrooney, 23, of the first block of Maria Lane in Smyrna, last Friday for a third DUI charge, disorderly conduct and offensive touching misdemeanors, and an unsafe speed violation.
• James A. Boone, 39, of the 200 block of Tracer Drive in Clayton, for a third DUI charge.