Community Corner

Man Faces His Sixth Drunken Driving Conviction

Mentor Police arrested Robert Schmitz early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving while drunk

Mentor Police arrested a man early Sunday morning who already has five convictions for driving while drunk and he is suspected of doing it again.

Robert Schmitz, 47, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, was pulled over while driving on the Center Street bridge.

The officer initially stopped him because he was speeding and swerving across the lane, Mentor Police Lt. Dan Molnar said.

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The policeman said Schmitz's eyes were glassy and his words were slurred, Molnar said. Consequently, the officer asked Schmitz to take some field sobriety tests, which he failed.

Schmitz then refused to use a breathalyzer or take a blood test, Molnar said.

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Police then arrested him and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, speeding and swerving over marked lanes.

He was arraigned Monday morning in . Judge John Trebets set his bond at $20,000, which was posted.

Schmitz's next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.


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