WESTMINSTER, Colo. – A man was arrested after police say he hid his three children in the trunk of his car to conceal them from officers during a drunk driving stop in freezing temperatures.
According to the Westminster Police Department, an officer spotted the vehicle driving recklessly near City Center Drive and 93rd Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. The officer reported smelling alcohol as they approached the driver, who initially denied drinking but refused to complete roadside sobriety tests.
The driver tried to pass the smell of Zyn’s off as the source of the odor, but the cop wasn’t buying his story.
That’s when things turned even more bizarre.
After being placed in handcuffs, the driver admitted that three children were hiding in the trunk of the vehicle. Officers opened the trunk and found the children, who were unharmed despite the cold weather, police said. Several open bottles of alcohol were also recovered inside the car.
The man was taken to the Adams County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to provide valid insurance, and three counts of child abuse. Child Protective Services responded to the scene, and the children were released to family members.
The driver’s name was not publicly released at this time.
Westminster Police emphasized that the case remains under investigation and that the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
- Police say a DUI suspect hid three children in his car trunk during a traffic stop.
- The incident occurred in freezing temperatures in Westminster, Colorado.
- The man faces multiple charges, including DUI and child abuse.
Authorities said the children were safe and uninjured, and officers commended the quick response that prevented a potentially dangerous situation from worsening.