LAKE WALES – On July 18, 2024, the Lake Wales Police Department arrested Luis Mauric Arbelaez Betancur (DOB 04/18/97) of Dale Ann Dr., Haines City with driving under the influence. Arbelaez was reportedly witnessed falling off his motorcycle.
Below is the arrest affidavit:
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the LWPD. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions:
“On 7/18/24, I responded to Scenic Hwy S and Alvina Ave in Lake Wales in reference to Officer Jerome witnessing a male driver fall off his motorcycle and appearing to be intoxicated. Upon arrival I made contact with Luis Betancur. While speaking with Betancur, I observed a strong order of alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, as well as slurred speech, dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes. Betancur appeared to have trouble maintaining his balance, as he constantly had to catch his footing to prevent from falling over. I informed Betancur that he appeared to be under the influence and asked if he would be willing to participate in standardized field sobriety tasks, to which he agreed.
“I then conducted the horizontal gaze nystagmus task. During the test, I observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, as well as sustained and distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. During the task, Betancur was unable to keep his head still and had to be repeatedly reminded to keep his head facing forward and to follow the stimulus with his eyes only.
“After conducting the horizontal gaze nystagmus task, I escorted Betancur to a leveled area to conduct the walk and turn task. After instructing Betancur to stand with his right heel against his left toe and maintain that position with his hands by his side, Betancur was unable to maintain his balance. I terminated the walk and turn task without having him complete it out of concern that he would be at risk of falling were he to attempt the task. Additionally, Betancur was limping which he claimed was from an injury sustained during work.
“I then conducted the one leg stand task. I instructed Betancur to stand with his feet together with his hands by his side. After reciting the instructions for the task, Betancur acknowledged that he understood them. During the task, Betancur was unable to keep his balance and swayed from side to side while counting. Betancur also raised his arms more than 6 inches and put his foot down on the ground on multiple occasions.
“I also conducted the finger to nose task with Betancur. During the task, after acknowledging he understood the instructions, Betancur did not tilt his head back as instructed, nor did he return his hand back to his side after touching his nose as was instructed. Betancur also missed his nose several times using the tip of his finger.
“Based on the clues I observed from Betancur, I placed him under arrest for driving under the influence and transported him to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. Post-Miranda, Betancur admitted to consuming alcohol, stating he had one beer. While en route to the processing center, Betancur was consistently hostile towards me, making numerous lewd and derogatory remarks. Betancur, also on numerous occasions, asked me to “Take off [my] badge” and fight him. He also banged his head on the partition, falsely claiming the brakes were being slammed.
“Upon arrival at the processing center, Deputy Warren from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to conduct a breathalyzer test. I conducted a 20-minute observation period beginning at 0410 hours and ending at 0430 hours. At 0432 hours, Betancur consented to a breath test; the first sample showed 0.123g/210L of breath, the second sample showed 0.110g/210L of breath.
“After Deputy Warren completed the breath test with Betancur, I issued a Uniform Traffic Citation for Driving under the influence. When I presented the citation to Betancur, I informed him that he was required to sign the citation; acknowledging it, to which he refused to sign. I then read the warning on the citation stating he would receive a criminal charge for refusing to sign. Betancur stated, “Go ahead and charge me with it then,” and willfully refused to sign the citation.
“Based on the above facts, I believe probable cause exists to charge Betancur with 1 count of Driving under the influence above 0.08g/210ml, F.S.S. 316.193 (1)(C), and 1 count of Refuse to Accept/Sign Citation, F.S.S. 318.14(3).”
Betancur was released on bond July 22, 2024 pending a 9/3/2024 court date.
