Coconut Creek Police Officer Jailed. Allegedly Sped Off When 911 Called.
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Coconut Creek police officer is facing a DUI charge after his arrest by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Laurence Christopher, 58, was allegedly found sleeping behind the wheel of his personal vehicle in the area of U.S. 441 and Lantana Road on March 15th. A passerby stopped to see if he was okay. Christopher, according to a police report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, woke up and said he was fine. But when he heard someone else call 911, Christopher allegedly sped off. A PBSO Sheriff’s Deputy allegedly observed him swerving on 441 and initiated a traffic stop.
From the police report: “I made contact with the driver and sole occupant later identified via his FL driver’s license as Laurence Anthony Christopher Jr. I asked the driver if he was okay. He stated “yeah, I’m good”. I observed Christopher Jr to have bloodshot red, glossy, and watery eyes. I could smell an odor of unknown alcoholic beverage emanating from his person and breath. I asked for his ID, which he handed me his driver’s license. I made contact with the caller and witness who provided me with a sworn statement which was recorded on my BWC. The witness stated that he observed the Ford truck at an intersection with a green light but the vehicle was not moving. Being concerned, he started knocking on his window in order to wake him up. The witness stated that when the driver woke up, he appeared lost, which made him believe he was intoxicated.
The witness stated that he asked Christopher Jr if he had any diabetes, and Christopher Jr answered “no”. The witness stated that when Christopher Jr heard that the passenger that was in the car with the the witness on the phone with 911, he took off. The witness stated that the vehicle was going northbound at a high rate of speed, “all over the place”, and almost hitting the median. The witness proceeded to show me a video on his cell phone which I captured on my BWC of the Ford truck swerving while driving.”
Laurence Christopher allegedly refused to provide a breath or blood sample. He was reminded that under Florida’s implied consent law he is required to do so or will lose his license. He still refused. Christopher was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $1000 bond. We note most people arrested for DUI in Palm Beach County are released on their own recognizance.
His status with the Coconut Creek police department was unclear early Thursday.
Thank God for this witness 🙏🏼✝️