Holmes Beach police arrested Venice resident Thomas Hubbard VII, 36, July 13 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
An officer was conducting a traffic stop when he clocked another motorist driving 45 mph in a 35-mph zone on Manatee Avenue around 3 a.m., so he called backup to stop the motorist.
The speeding motorist stopped in the 3100 block of Gulf Drive and the officer reported seeing items tossed out the passenger side window as the vehicle rolled to a stop.
The officer found the items, which included a woman’s wallet and phone.
Hubbard said the woman had left the items in his vehicle after repeatedly hitting it and that she had been following him to try to get him in trouble.
The officer contacted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and learned MCSO had prepared a domestic violence charge against Hubbard.
Police spoke to Hubbard, who exited the vehicle without being asked and was detained in handcuffs after failing to obey commands.
Hubbard’s breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, he had “glassy and watery” eyes and “confusing speech” and he was “sweating profusely,” according to an HBPD report.
The officer asked Hubbard to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.
Hubbard was arrested and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he registered breath samples with results of 0.116 and 0.113 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.
The officer issued Hubbard citations for speeding and failure to slow down for an emergency vehicle, then transported him to Bradenton, where custody was transferred to an MCSO deputy.
The deputy transported the man to the Manatee County jail, where he remained in custody under $13,120 bond as of July 19.
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. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.