New Britain herald., 1927-12-05
DRUNKEN AUTO|ST
 IS SENT ID JAIL
Harris, Second Offender, Gets
 Six Months

Among the automohilists who fac ed Judge Henry r. Roche in police court today were three who were charged with being under the in tluence of liquor while in charge of their cars and two speeders. All were found guilty with the eXcep- ton of one whose case was continued until tomorrow.
 Jack Harris aged II, or Lasalle court, was sentenced to jail for six months on the charge Of being q second offender in operating an automobile while under the influence of liquor. Harris pleaded guilty and declined 10 make q statement,
 Officers Griffin and Liebler testi- fed that they saw a car driven by Harris going south on Hartford ave nue about 11.4o Saturday night, and it. went over the curb near them at the corner of North street and Hartford avenue.
 It continued along the curb as far as Star street and the officers com mandeered another car and gave chase. Driving through Hartford avenue and East Main street, the officers were unable to locate Har- lis, so they went north on Main street and at the corner of Sexton and North streets they saw Harris car going over the curb and onto he sidewalk, heading towards the Dudjack building. Harris was no ticeably under the influence of li- quor, they said.
 Judge Roche observed that in view of the plea of guilty and the testimony of the officers there was no course open to the court except to impose the minimum sentence of six months. Harris was convicted in he local court in 1926.
 Michael Patrus, aged 22. Of 154 Kelsey street, was fined s100 and costs and given suspended jail sentence of Is days on the charge of operating an automobile while under the influence of liquor, and s25 and costs on the charge of fail ing to obey the signal of an officer. Judgement was suspended on the charge Of driving an automobile without lights.
 Officers James NJ. McCue and Charles Weare testified that they saw an automobile going south on Main street about 1 o'clock Sunday morning and they stepped into the street and sounded their whistles, because the car was without lights The driver did not stop, however but turned his car into West Main street, while the officers command eered another car and gave chase through Washington street to Broad to Beaver 10 Beatty. On Beatty street they overlook Patrus.
 Officer Weare jumped onto the running board of Patrus' car after the driver of the commandeered car crowded the Patrus car over to the side of the road. Told to get out of the car and walk up and down the road Patrus staggered and there was the odor of liquor apparent, &C., cordng to the officers.
 Patrus, who was represented by Attorney Harry M Ginsburg, plead ed not guilty to the three charges, He admitted, however. that he had been drinking wine.
 He stopped his car nearthe United Cigar store and turned off the lights, as he and two companions talked about going into a restaurant for hot dogs" It was decided finally 10 go home without getting out of the car and Patrus forgot to turn on the lights. He admitted that he saw Officer McCue in the street but did not see or hear any signal. The windows of the car were closed be- cause of the weather.
 The reason he turned up Wash ington street to go to Belvidere where his companions live was, he said that he wished to remain away from the central streets. He did not know he was being followed until he was overtaken. Lieutenant Rival testified that Patrus was unfit 10 drive a car when brought befor" him at police headquarters.
 Judge Roche said he was sat'7- fled that Patrus was under the in fluence of liquor and had tried tu escape arrest.
 T. was entirely possible that h. did not know his lights were no' burning when he pulled away from tho curb on Main street, but he cer- tainly must have observed them when Inc reached the streets that were not SO brightly illuminated as was Main street, Judge Roche said.