Alleged Drunk Driver Taken into Custody After Mistaking Unmarked Lawrence Township Police Car for His Ride

Trying to get into the driver’s seat of a police car without permission is probably never a good idea.

But it’s a particularly bad thing to do if you’ve had a little too much to drink.

That, allegedly, is what one Lawrence Township man tried to do in the predawn hours one day last week.

That man, 21-year-old Jonathan M. Negron of the 700 block of Puritan Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI in a school zone, reckless driving, and refusing to take a breathalyzer test, according to Lt. Charles Edgar, Lawrence Township Police Department spokesman.

It was shortly before 3 a.m. last Wednesday, Oct. 19, when Police Officer Michael Smith stopped at the 7-Eleven in the 400 block of Lawrence Road (Route 206) to give the business “passing attention.” While Smith was inside the convenience store, he observed Negron drive up in a 1996 Dodge Stratus, Edgar said.

Negron parked, entered the 7-Eleven, selected some merchandise and paid for those items, as any customer would do, Edgar said. The problem, he said, came when Negron left the store.

Instead of returning to his vehicle, Negron mistakenly went to the unmarked police car that Smith had parked outside, Edgar said. He said Smith watched as Negron allegedly fumbled around trying to unlock the driver's door of the police car.

Smith went out and questioned Negron. Believing that Negron was intoxicated, Smith called for backup, Edgar said. He said Officer Chris DiMeglio soon arrived and administered some field sobriety tests to Negron.

Based on his performance on those tests, Negron was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, Edgar said.

A description of the unmarked police car was not released.