DUI suspect nabbed in Leesburg with open cans of Natural Ice beer

A Leesburg man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after officers found two open cans of Natural Ice beer in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

An officer responded to Beecher Street and Johns Avenue to assist with a traffic stop around 2:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. 

Upon arrival, the officer learned that the driver, identified as 47-year-old Artis Nicholas Grant, had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. He was shown a half-drank 16 fluid ounce can of Natural Ice in the vehicle, the report said. 

After the officer who conducted the stop finished writing a citation to Grant for the open container and a written warning for a tag light violation, he had Grant exit the vehicle and walk back to the front of his patrol vehicle. This allowed the officer to explain the citation while Grant consistently leaned against the patrol vehicle. While they spoke, the officer observed Grant to have slurred speech and an odor of alcoholic substance coming from his person, the report said. 

One officer explained the citation and warning to Grant followed by the other officer requesting he perform field sobriety exercises due to the signs of impairment, open containers and admission of drinking. Grant agreed to do so, but his performance led the officers to conclude that he was driving under the influence, the report said. 

Grant was subsequently placed under arrest, after which an inventory search of his revealed a second open container of Natural Ice. He was then taken to LPD for part of the booking process. He was next transported to Lake County Jail, the report said. 

At about 4:30 a.m., the officer asked Grant to provide a lawful sample of his breath to determine its alcoholic content. Grant refused and was advised of the consequence of doing so as the officer read him implied consent. He then agreed to provide samples, resulting in 0.130g/210L and 0.133g/210L, the report said. 

After completing the breath test, Grant was advised of his rights. As the officer completed the booking paperwork, Grant continuously mentioned he did not believe he was impaired but admitted multiple times to drinking to drinking alcohol that day, the report said. 

Grant was charged with DUI and released jail after posting $1,000 bond.