Westminster police found three children in the trunk of a car after pulling over the driver and arresting him on suspicion of drunken driving, officials said Tuesday.
The Jan. 23 incident was captured in a video from a Westminster Police Department officer’s body-worn camera, the agency said on social media.
Police pulled over the 41-year-old driver after seeing him driving recklessly near City Center Drive and 93rd Avenue at 5:15 p.m.
The video shows the man telling an officer he was “acting like an idiot” before he was pulled over but denying drinking any alcohol.
Driver arrested for DUI, admits to driving with 3 children in trunk
Yes, you read that right. Recently, a traffic officer observed a vehicle driving recklessly in the area of City Center Dr and 93rd Ave. When contacting the driver, our officer immediately noticed the smell…
— Westminster Police (@WestminsterPD)
When the officer asks if he’s sure because the vehicle smells like alcohol, the man tells the officer it’s his nicotine pouches.
The man initially agreed to do voluntary roadside maneuvers but then refused, which is when police arrested him.
After he was handcuffed, the man told officers his children were in the trunk, Westminster police said.
The video shows one officer opening the trunk to find the children lying inside. As that officer helps the kids out of the trunk, the second officer leads the man away and asks, “You didn’t think that it would’ve been a good idea to say something before?”
None of the children were injured, Westminster police said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of child abuse, all misdemeanors, and reckless driving and failing to provide insurance, which are traffic infractions.
Westminster police contacted child protective services and the three children were released to family, agency officials said.
The man was released from the Adams County Jail on a $2,500 cash or surety bail, according to court records.
