Crime & Safety
Alleged Salem Wrong-Way Drive-Thru Driver Arrested in Hooksett
Police bag John Burke after he was allegedly passed out with his vehicle's engine running at Aroma Joe's last night.
HOOKSETT, NH — A local man was arrested last night in another community after allegedly passing out in a coffee shop's drive-thru facing the wrong direction, according to Hooksett Police. John Burke, 49, of Salem, was arrested on Dec. 21, 2016, and charged with driving while intoxicated-subsequent offense.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Hooksett Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.
Officers were sent to Aroma Joe’s on Chambers Drive at just before 9 p.m. for a suspicious motor vehicle call where police were told that the vehicle was stopped in the middle of the drive-thru facing the wrong way. They made contact with the driver – Burke – who was allegedly passed out inside of the vehicle while its motor was running.
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“Officers had to bang on the windows and open the driver’s side door to shake Burke several times before he woke up,” the department noted on Facebook. “While speaking with Burke, an odor of an alcoholic beverage was apparent and he admitted to drinking alcohol. Burke willingly submitted to field sobriety tests which he failed.”
Burke was arrested and transported to headquarters where he allegedly refused a Breathalyzer test. He was released on personal recognizance bail and is due in Hooksett District Court on Jan. 6, 2017.
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