Around 1:25AM today, officers from district E-5 (West Roxbury) were stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Washington and Firth Streets when a car sped past them crossing into the lane for oncoming traffic. Officers activated their lights and sirens and conducted a traffic stop in front of 4497 Washington Street.
During the traffic stop, officers noticed that the suspect operator was sweating profusely and breathing heavily. Officers asked the operator for his license and registration and went back to their cruiser to check on the operator’s license and registration. While checking on the driver’s information, he got out of his car. Officers then asked the suspect operator to get back in his car when he stated, “Just take me, just take me! You’re going to take me anyway!” Officers then approached the suspect operator who turned around and put his hands behind his back. Officers then asked the suspect operator why he thought he was going to be arrested at which point he exclaimed. “I was an officer for ten years, and I know that when you take a long time that means you’re going to take the person!” Officers in the course of further conversation with the suspect noticed the smell of alcohol from his breath when he spoke. Officers then asked the suspect what he thought he’d be arrested for and he responded, “Come on, if you’re going to take me, just take me.” Officers, again in the course of further investigation and conversation with the suspect, asked him if he thought he was going to be arrested for a warrant and he answered that he would be arrested for OUI.
The suspect, Loren Stead, 40, of Norwood was then given sobriety tests which he failed and he was subsequently arrested and charged Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and cited civilly for Improper Passing.