Man Accused of Driving Drunk, Intimidating Police

A Mentor-on-the-Lake man is accused of driving drunk and intimidating police.

Mentor-on-the-Lake Police were first put on the look out for Jeff Ward because Wickliffe Police had a warrant issued for his arrest on a charge of telephone harassment, MOL Police Chief John Gielink said.

An officer spotted Ward, 41, while he was driving on Andrews Road Tuesday. Ward turned into his apartment complex without using a turn signal and the officer approached him, Gielink said.

The policeman asked him if he was Jeff Ward -- to which, Ward replied, "I've never seen him," Gielink said.

However, when asked for a social security number, Ward gave his own.

The officer suspected Ward was drunk but he refused to take a breathalyzer. Consequently, the police tried to arrest him for driving while drunk, Gielink said.

When the officer tried to handcuff him, Ward pulled away. Then he said, "Wait till the next time I see you. I don't care if you're in a uniform, wait until the next time I see you," according to Gielink.

The officer finally arrested Ward and charged him with intimidating an officer, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, resisting arrest and failure to use a turn signal, Gielink said.

Ward was arraigned Wednesday in . Judge John Trebets set his bond at $40,500, which was posted.

Ward has no previous convictions for drunken driving.

Ward's next court hearing is scheduled for May 16.