Cops: Armed Man was Driving Drunk with a Baby in the Car

A Frankfort man is accused of driving while drunk with a 6-month old baby in the back seat, while also carrying two knives on him.

Peter J. Garcia, 21, of the 200 block of W. Nebraska, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and unlawful use of a weapon.

A Mokena patrol officer saw a car driving 63 mph in a 40 mph zone going west in the 10100 block of 191st Street around 1:40 a.m. Sunday. The car jerked and swerved right as it pulled over, after the officer turned on emergency lights, according to a Mokena police report. The driver, Garcia, stepped out of the car and approached the officer, even though the officer told him repeatedly to stay in his car. The officer yelled at him to get back into the car, and had to guide him back to his car, according to the report.

Garcia had a dazed look and an unfocused gaze while talking with the officer, police said. Garcia said “he saw red and blues so I got out” when asked what he was doing. A female passenger was in the front seat and a 6-month-old baby was in the back seat, according to the report. She told the officer they had come from a house party in Mokena, where they both drank, police said.

The officer found a large silver buck style hunting knife in a sheath attached to Garcia’s waist and a medium-sized folding knife in his pocket, according to the report. He said he carried them “for protection.” His breath smelled like alcohol and he failed field sobriety tests, police said.

The passenger said they came from a party in Mokena where she drank as well. When asked why she brought her baby to a party, she said “she slept the whole time,” according to the report.

The man cursed at officers while he was put in handcuffs and yelled at officers during the booking process.

Police also contacted the Department of Child and Family Services about the passenger and her child.

Police blotter information is provided by the Mokena Police Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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