HARRIS—A 60-year-old Harris man faces several charges following the stop of a golf cart he was driving about 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, in Harris.
The arrest of Tony Ray Moore stemmed from a report of his appearing intoxicated and urinating outside the residence of his mother in Harris, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
While en route, a deputy observed Moore drive a southbound golf cart with his mother as the passenger on Willow Avenue near the intersection of Highway 9, south of Harris.
As the deputy passed the golf cart, he observed Moore rapidly consume the contents of what appeared to be a beer can and discard it, with liquid spraying from the can as it landed.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop, and Moore exited the golf cart and refused repeated commands to stop walking.
Moore had bloodshot/watery eyes, impaired balance, slurred speech and the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
He also was belligerent and uncooperative and said he wanted to go to jail, according to the incident report.
His mother later admitted that Moore had been drinking.
The discarded 12-ounce Busch Light beer container was recovered from the ditch along Willow Avenue and seized it as evidence.
Moore spat throughout the rear prisoner compartment of the deputy’s patrol vehicle while being transported to the county jail in Sibley.
He then urinated throughout his jail cell, including on the floor and mattress, rendering the cell temporarily unusable and requiring cleaning.
Moore was charged with first-offense operating while under the influence; fifth-degree criminal mischief; possession of an open container of alcohol as a driver; depositing or throwing litter on the highway; and no valid driver’s license.
Fifth-degree criminal mischief charges involve incidents in which the value of replacing, restoring, and/or repairing damaged property is estimated at $300 or less.