A 34-year-old Bellefontaine woman was arrested early Saturday morning after police say she was driving erratically through downtown Bellefontaine while under the influence of alcohol.
According to the Bellefontaine Police Department, officers saw a white Acura SUV around 2 a.m. Saturday repeatedly made several driving errors while traveling through the city.
Police initiated a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue.
The driver was identified as Rachelle Dapice.
Police said she showed several signs of impairment, and officers say they could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the vehicle and Dapice’s person.
Dapice struggled to locate her belongings inside the vehicle, repeatedly lost her train of thought, staggered while walking, and admitted to consuming alcohol.
She initially claimed she had consumed only one alcoholic drink before later admitting to drinking two “High Noon” beverages.
Police said Dapice also told officers she worked for a local company and made several comments asking officers not to release details of the arrest publicly, at one point stating, “I’m basically the mayor of Bellefontaine.”
Officers attempted to conduct field sobriety testing, but police reported Dapice was unable to maintain balance or properly follow instructions.
Dapice was arrested for operating a vehicle while impaired and transported to the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Police say she initially agreed to submit to a breath test before refusing, resulting in an administrative license suspension.
She was later released to a sober driver.
