Drunk driver hid his three children in the trunk during police stop

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.

Photo: drunk driver hid his three children in the trunk during police stop

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.