A man arrested on drunken driving charges in Middletown, Connecticut, told police he was a state lottery employee and offered the police officer winning lottery numbers to drop the charges, police said.
Police approached Robert K. Eldridge Jr. 41, of Cromwell, on Union Street, near DeKoven Drive, just after 3 p.m. on June 14 when he was stopped at a green light and appeared to be passed out behind the steering wheel.
When Eldridge came to, he attempted to start the car but then noticed the officers, police said. According to the arraignment report, Eldrige's eye's were bloodshoot and glassy and his speech was slurred, prompting the officer to ask how much he'd had to drink.
He responded that he'd had "a couple drinks," beers," and a couple shots of "fireball."
At the scene, he kept telling officers he was going to lose his job at the lottery, according to police.
After a failed field sobriety test, Eldridge was handcuffed and transported to the police station for testing.
While at the police station, Eldridge kept asking if there was any way to work things out and whether he could just call someone for a ride, police said. Then he offered the police officer winning lottery numbers to resolve the charges, according to the arraignment report.
Breath tests revealed Eldridge's blood alcohol level was .1638, then .1642, according to police.
He was charged with operating under the influence and possession of narcotics. Police released him on $5,000 bond. He is due in court on June 29.
Officials from Connecticut Lottery said Eldridge is not a lottery employee and has never been.
wow. he was pretty desperate to get out of those charges!
"Officials from Connecticut Lottery said Eldridge is not a lottery employee and has never been."
I would say he had one too many fireballs.
That Fireball is good stuff.
Please call a friend or a taxi. This guy is out ten thousand dollars from fines,legal costs, and more.
He has probably done this before and not got caught. His luck ran out.
Also, use a designated driver.
It would make such an awesome end to an already funny story if this guy won a jackpot a few drawings from now.
Liquored up in the middle of the day. Good thing he did not cause a major traffic event by having a head-on collision with some innocent family. You should not drink if you cannot handle your alcohol. What a lightweight.
I haven't tried Fireball. I wonder, does it has a cinnamon taste?
mypiemaster, this was on a weekend afternoon though.
Regardless, four alcoholic drinks within 3 or so hours would put most folks 'strongly under the influence of alcohol,' nothing to do with lightweightedness!
Why doesn't the article mention why this poor judgement and unlucky man was ALSO charged with narcotics possession? Do any of our lotterypost.com members know this part of his saga?
Yep....mix it with apple juice....
Some of the cops around here would've taken a winning ticket in a heartbeat.
As one guy told me the night I arrested him, "The wife got most of the money in court this morning, hell the state might as well get the rest" !!....his test results .18
Funniest drunk ever...He thought the intoxylizer was karaoke machine and pretended he was playing the trumpet..
Robert K. shoulda, woulda, coulda been driving a Smart car 4-2 and the policeman might not have seenem>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Just to point out to you guys he actually did offer 2 numbers ! His blood achoool level numbers.. read article and you will find the 2 pick 4 nrs.
The offer is very Original. Not surprised that the LC came out " swinging with their Statement".. he is in no way affiliated with us..