Middletown Police Logs: Two DUI Arrests So Far This Week

Two DUI Arrests:

Julie Nonnenmacher of 220 Juniper Dr., North Kingstown, was arrested on Tuesday, March 27, at approximately 2 a.m. on a driving under the influence charge. She was also cited for a refusal to submit to a chemical test.   

The 50-year-old woman was pulled over after police saw her pull out of Taco Bell on West Main Road. Police reported when she pulled out of the parking lot, her car stopped in the northbound lane, which blocked two lanes and and caused another vehicle to come to a complete stop.

Police said she then swerved across the road, hit the curb and almost hit a male pedestrian. Police reported Nonnenmacher continued to drive on the curb for 50 feet, even after the cruiser lights had been activated.   

When police activated the siren and finally stopped Nonnenmacher, she allegedly had a difficult time forming sentences and appeared very drowsy.  
She allegedly told police she did not have anything to drink that evening and was coming from a client’s house in Newport, where she was painting. Nonnenmacher reportedly said she had stopped at Taco Bell, said “see?”, and then began to eat her tacos.  

Police said when they asked Nonnenmacher if she was on any prescription medications she responded “a few.”  

When asked if she should be driving on the medications she allegedly became angry and asked police if they were “medically qualified” to ask such questions.

Police reported they smelled a faint odor of alcohol while they administered the field sobriety tests. Nonnenmacher allegedly admitted that she had one glass of wine.

A search of her purse reportedly revealed bottles of medication prescribed to Nonnenmacher: Dextroamphetamine, Amphetamine salts, Diazepam and Fluxetine.

John Berard of 27 Madison Way, Portsmouth, was arrested Wednesday, March 28, at approximately 2:21 a.m. on a first offense driving under the influence charge. The 44-year-old was also cited with a refusal to submit to a chemical test violation.  

Police reported they followed Berard’s vehicle after he pulled out of the Subway parking lot, located by the intersection of East Main Road and Valley Road. Police activated emergency lights after they observed the car swerve across the lines.

Police reported Berard’s speech was slow and slurred. When asked where he was coming from, Berard allegedly told officers he was coming from the Red Parrot in Newport, where he is a bartender. When asked if he had anything to drink, police reported that Berard stated that he did not. 

The police report indicated that Berard had trouble maintaining his balance throughout the field sobriety tests. He was arrested and brought into custody without incident.   


Bench Warrants

• Joseph Mello of 90 Girard Ave, Newport was arrested on Tuesday, March 27, at approximately 11:32 p.m. The 21-year-old was walking north on Valley Road when he was stopped by police. A check on his identification revealed he had a bench warrant issued from the Second District Court.

• Colin Lombard of 49 Hillside Ave. Newport was arrested on Tuesday, March 27,  at approximatly 3:10 p.m. The 22-year-old was stopped by police near the Middletown Square on West Main Road because both driver and passenger were not wearing seat belts. A check showed he had an active bench warrant out of the Second District Court for failure to appear.