BEDFORD – A 74-year-old Bedford man was arrested Saturday, January 4, on operating while intoxicated charges after concerned citizens reported erratic driving behavior at a local gas station.
According to police reports, Toby W. Sykes was taken into custody at approximately 6:53 p.m. after Bedford Police responded to calls about a possible intoxicated driver at Circle K on L Street.
Officer Michael Bell arrived at the scene following a tip from a complainant who reported observing erratic driving behavior and stumbling inside the store. Officers found Sykes attempting to fill containers with kerosene, during which he reportedly displayed difficulty maintaining control of the containers.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers observed several signs of impairment, including red and glassy eyes, poor balance, impaired manual dexterity, and slow speech. A store employee later confirmed to police that Sykes appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol.
After failing field sobriety tests, Sykes submitted to a preliminary breath test at the scene, which registered .130 above Indiana’s legal limit.
Security camera footage from Circle K captured Sykes’ black GMC Jimmy arriving at the location, though police noted some gaps in the recording.
Sykes was transported to the Lawrence County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and operating while intoxicated with endangerment. Stone City Service & Collision Center LLC towed the vehicle from the scene.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
