NEW HARTFORD — A 34-year-old man was arrested on driving while intoxicated charges after police found him dragging a gas pump handle and line behind his pickup truck.
Austin Zacek of Utica was stopped by a New Hartford Police officer at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Tilden Avenue after the officer observed the Ford pickup traveling east on Higby Road with the gas equipment hanging from the fuel door.
During the traffic stop, the officer suspected Zacek was impaired by alcohol and conducted field sobriety tests.
Zacek was arrested for driving while intoxicated and became physically resistive with officers during the arrest process, police said.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated, a vehicle and traffic law misdemeanor, and obstructing governmental administration, a Class A misdemeanor.
Zacek was transported to the Oneida County Jail and held for arraignment.
Police determined the gas pump equipment came from the 7-Eleven Gas and Convenience Store on Kellogg Road in Washington Mills, where it detached when Zacek drove away from the station.
Additional charges related to the incident are pending.
