Trooper Receives Help From Motorists In Making Drunk Driving Arrest

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LAKE COUNTY, Ind – Monday morning just after 6:00 A.M. Senior Trooper Anthony Potesta was dispatched to a disabled vehicle on I-80/94 eastbound lanes at the 7.9 mile marker.

The Trooper spoke to the driver, 29 year old Michael P. Bartow, from Algonquin, Illinois.

During their conversation, Trooper Potesta could detect the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Bartow’s breath.

Trooper Potesta asked Bartow to exit his vehicle in order to administer field sobriety tests.  Once at the rear of the car Bartow refused and attempted to walk back to his vehicle.

Trooper Potesta attempted to detain Bartow when Bartow resisted.

A struggle occurred as Trooper Potesta attempted to deploy his department issued Taser.

Bartow reached for the Taser and a struggle for the weapon took place where the taser fell to the ground.

Bartow picked up the taser and attempted to use it against the Trooper but it failed to fire.

During the struggle several “Good Samaritans”, one of which being an off-duty Illinois Sheriff’s Deputy, stopped to assist.

One of the good Samaritans used mace against Bartow and he was then handcuffed.

Both Trooper Potesta and Bartow were transported to Northlake Hospital in Gary for treatment and both have been released.

Toxicology results are pending.  Bartow was incarcerated at the Lake County Jail in Crown Point.

Pending approval by the Lake County Prosecutor, Bartow is facing the following charges:

  • Disarming an Officer I.C. 35-44.1-3-2 (Level 3 Felony)
  • Battery to Law Enforcement I.C. 35-42-2-1(g)(5) (Level 5 Felony)
  • Resisting Law Enforcement I.C. 35-44.1-3-1 (Level 6 Felony)
  • Operating While Intoxicated I.C. 9-30-5-1 (Class A Misd.)

 

booking photo courtesy Lake County Sheriff’s Dept