BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — You can’t drive drunk. You can’t drive high. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a car or a bicycle. That’s the message Delray Beach Police are sending after the arrest of a man who was jailed after allegedly swerving his bicycle into traffic on Lake Ida Road near Lawrence Road.
Mike Taggart of Pinetree Drive in Delray Beach is facing a marijuana possession charge and a DUI charge following his arrest on Tuesday. BocaNewsNow.com obtained a copy of the arrest report which explains what police saw and how Mr. Taggart allegedly reacted.
“On 1/22/2024 at approximately 1903 hours, I responded to the area of Lake Ida Rd and Lawrence Rd in reference to a subject swerving on the roadway while on a bicycle. Upon my arrival, I met with the complainant, Chad Godbout, who gave the following sworn statement: While exiting his neighborhood, Godbout observed a white male riding a bicycle in the roadway swerving. The complainant called DBPD and then stood by and waited near the subject until officers arrived on scene. When approaching the subject, I observed his Black 3-wheel Sun bike which had 2 unopened Natural Ice beer cans in its basket in plain view. In the roadway near the bike were 3 empty Natural Ice beer cans that matched the beer cans in Taggart’s bike basket.
I made contact with the subject, identified as Mike George Taggart, who was laying on the sidewalk. I immediately observed Taggart’s dilated pupils. I began to speak with Taggart, whose speech was very slurred. When speaking, I smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming off Taggart’s breathe. Taggart struggled to stand up and once standing, was unsteady on his feet. He was swaying and consistently losing his balance. Taggart consented to a search during which time, officers located a green leafy substance in his pocket that due to my training and knowledge, recognized to be marijuana. The substance weighed unpackaged at 2.12 grams and field tested positive using the Marijuana QuickCheck Lynn Peavey Company test. Taggart then consented to Roadside Tasks.
Prior to beginning Roadside Tasks, DBFD evaluated Taggart during which time, Taggart stated that he had drank 4 beers.
When DBFD asked what time it was, Taggart stated 11:30, despite it being only 7:30.
During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Taggart stated that he understood the instructions. During this task, Taggart’s eyes were unable to smoothly follow the tip of my pen and at times would just look straight ahead at me. On two separate times, Taggart turned his entire head to follow the pen rather than just with his eyes as directed. I began to explain and demonstrate the Walk ard Turn Task to Taggart. When attempting to get into the starting position with his left foot on the line and right foot directly in front with his right heel touching his left toe, he kept losing his balance. Taggart then proceeded to state that this wasn’t a good task for him to participate in because he has bad balance.
I began to explain and demonstrate the One Leg Stand to Taggart, however, due to his inability to enter or hold the starting position without losing his balance, Taggart was unable to complete this task. I concluded the roadside tasks at this time out of concern for Taggart’s safety.
Taggart was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence and Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams and was transported to the Palm Beach County DUI Testing Facility. While in my patrol vehicle, Taggart was heard spontaneously uttering that he just had a little marijuana. While at the Palm Beach County DUI Testing Facility, Taggart was heard spontaneously uttering that he was simply driving his bike home. Taggart refused to submit to a breath test.”
Taggart was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond. A court date is pending.
