Crime & Safety
Police: Man Accused of DUI Had Syringes 'Loaded' With Heroin
A 44-year-old Orland Park man had some interesting explanations for police when they asked him why he smelled like beer, including that the scent could be lingering from the evening before when he "got pretty drunk," cops said.
When searching a driver before he was taken into custody on a driving under the influence charge over the weekend, police found a bag of marijuana, two needles, an unidentified pill and several beers, they said.
They stopped Joseph A. Saulinski, 44, of the 7700 block of West 157th Place in Orland Park, around 6:20 p.m. Saturday in the 17600 block of Harlem Avenue in . A caller said he saw Saulinski's Chevy pick-up swerving across lanes of traffic, narrowly striking other vehicles, the report said. Officers documented the same activity.
"I asked Joseph why he was swerving in the roadway and if he was aware that he struck a raised curb," the report said. "Joseph replied that he was aware and that his vehicle has 'bad brakes.'"
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After reportedly smelling alcohol on Saulinski's breath, the officer asked him if he'd been drinking. Saulinski said he had not, according to police, and that the odor may be from 'a friend who spilled beer in my car a couple days ago.'" He also suggested to police that the smell may be lingering because "I got pretty drunk last night," according to the report.
Officers said Saulinski failed each field sobriety test. While searching his truck they found a bag with marijuana and half of an "unknown light green pill," they said. They also found four Miller Lite bottles and a 40-ounce bottle of Milwaukee's Best beer.
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"Before searching Joseph I asked if he had anything sharp on his person that would poke or stick me," an officer wrote in the report. "Joseph replied to me that he had two syringes 'loaded' with heroin inside of his right sock."
Saulinsinki's was the first of two heroin arrests by over the weekend.
He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and at 7:50 p.m., blew a .022—that's .058 less than the legal limit—on the Breathalyzer, according to the report. He then gave police blood and urine samples, they said.
He was charged additionally with driving under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol and improper lane use. His bail was set at $1,000.
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