Drunken Trip to McDonald's Ends with Citation

A drunken Newtown Square man received a public drunkenness citation rather than a DUI after police stopped the man from getting into his vehicle, according to Newtown Township Police. 

A police officer was standing in line at McDonald's in Newtown Square at about 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 when he noticed a man enter the restaurant who appeared to be intoxicated, according to police. 

The 58-year-old Newtown Square man had difficulty walking to the counter, he smelled of alcohol and spoke with a distinct slur, according to police.

The man had difficulty paying for his food, fumbled with the contents of his pockets until he finally was able to come up with the cash to pay the bill, according to police.

The officer reported that he did not know how the man arrived at McDonald's so he returned to his police vehicle and watched the man leave the restaurant, according to police.

The man started to leave but saw the officer watching him and returned to the restaurant to eat his meal, according to police, the officer then repositioned himself and continued to watch the man.

The man again left the McDonald's, walked with difficulty toward a white Ford F-150 pick up truck, when police stopped the man and advised him if he entered the truck he would be arrested for DUI, according to police.

Police suggested he call someone for a ride and the man answered with much unintelligible conservation as he held on to the police car, according to police.

After more rambling conversation and some tears the man told police there was no one he could contact for a ride and wanted to walk home in the snow storm, according to police.
 
Police told the man that wasn't going to happen and advised him he was under arrest for public drunkenness, according to police. 

A breath test was administered to the man and indicated a .206 blood alcohol level, according to police.

The man was given a ride to his home and was advised he would receive a citation for public drunkenness in the mail, according to police.