A repeat drunk driver was arrested for his fifth impaired driving charge following a traffic stop initiated around 9:45 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department in the area of north Main Street near Columbus Avenue.
Thomas Richard Hoskins, 41, of Bellefontaine, was charged with disorderly conduct and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and was lodged in the Logan County Jail.
Officers on patrol in the area of the 110 block of west Brown Avenue reportedly observed the defendant operating a Harley Davidson motorcycle turn eastbound onto west Brown Avenue from north Detroit Street, and then accelerate quickly and at a reckless and unnecessary high rate of speed while giving off an exceedingly loud noise.
Police caught up to the motorcycle and initiated the stop. Signs of intoxication were observed when officers made contact with Shoffner. The defendant told officers he was near his house, only about a mile away, and denied having consumed any alcohol.
Shoffner’s motorcycle license also did not permit him to drive at night, officers report.
Field sobriety tests were not successful and the defendant was transported to the police department. He admitted to officers to multiple previous drunk driving convictions and refused a breath test.
Officers obtained a search warrant to draw Shoffner’s blood and he was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital to collect a blood sample for evidence. Shoffner has previous OVI convictions in 2021, 2018, 2011 and 2008.