Hunter
02/17/20
Trying to hitchhike in traffic in front of a police officer led to the arrest of a University of Iowa student.
According to arrest reports, 18-year-old Benjamin Wilson of Plainfield Illinois was walking in the middle of northbound traffic on Clinton Street Saturday at around 9:15pm with his thumb up, attempting to hitchhike. An officer made eye contact with Wilson, who continued walking in traffic. When he made contact with Wilson, police say he had a fictitious Illinois ID in his wallet showing he was of legal drinking age as he was searching for his real ID. A check of the ID confirmed it was invalid, and Wilson allegedly admitted it was a fake.
Wilson reportedly smelled strongly of ingested alcohol, had slurred speech, and bloodshot watery eyes. He stated that he “drank a ton at a friend’s house.”
Wilson refused a post-arrest PBT and was charged with public intoxication and possession of a fictitious ID. He was taken into custody, and if convicted on the charge, could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail.