- Holmes Beach police arrested James Mahon, 26, of North Carolina, April 16 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
An officer at 3:26 a.m. saw a motorist in a low-speed vehicle fail to brake at a stop sign at the intersection of 49th Street and Second Avenue.
After watching the motorist act erratically, then drive past another stop sign without stopping, the officer conducted a traffic stop.
The officer spoke with the driver, Mahon, who had “glassy and watery” eyes and whose breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, according to a report.
Mahon also was not wearing a seat belt and told the officer he had “one or two (alcoholic beverages) at the max” before driving.
The officer asked Mahon to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.
The officer arrested Mahon and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he twice refused to provide a breath sample.
The officer transported Mahon to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $120 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice
