BELFAST, Maine — A local man accused of driving drunk last weekend needed to be subdued with pepper spray, handcuffs and leg restraints before he could be taken to jail, according to Belfast police.
Michael Ripley, 24, of Belfast caught the attention of law enforcement after he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Routes 1 and 52 at 1:26 a.m. Saturday, March 14. After that, Ripley was traveling in the wrong lane of the road, according to Detective Sgt. Bryan Cunningham of the Belfast Police Department. When police tried to pull him over and then detain him, it wasn’t exactly easy, Cunningham said, adding that the man argued and fought with officers.
“He refused to cooperate, and ended up getting pepper-sprayed,” the officer said. “Then they put him in handcuffs and had to hobble his legs to keep him from kicking out at the cruiser.”
Ripley, whom officers at the scene said appeared to be intoxicated, also refused to take a Breathalyzer test.
Police arrested and charged him with refusing to submit to arrest or detention, operating under the influence with one prior conviction, driving to endanger and failure to stop for a police officer. He was taken to Waldo County Jail to be booked. He was released from jail Monday on $750 bail.