A 41-year-old man, believed to be homeless but possibly from Pontiac, was in and out of jail several times last week after encounters with sheriff deputies from the Independence Township substation.
On March 7, deputies were dispatched to the medical center parking lot at Dixie Highway and M-15. The man, who reports said was already familiar to deputies, was bleeding from scrapes on his face, apparently from falling on the pavement. He also had two bottles of wine in his pockets, reports said.
On March 8, the man was arrested at the Dixie Highway Kroger store after allegedly taking wine without paying. At that time, he registered a blood alcohol level of 0.301 percent. Deputies found outstanding warrants for a previous parole violation, but the county prosecutor’s office denied a warrant to prosecute for retail fraud and disorderly conduct since the wine cost less than $25, reports said.
On March 10, the man was again arrested for disorderly conduct after a report that he was crawling in the middle of Dixie Highway near Waterford Hills Terrace. On March 11, he was again apprehended on Waterford Hills Terrace after sleeping behind a stone sign.
In each case, the man was taken for treatment and detoxification, although reports said he has resisted offers of medical assistance and counseling.
Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the Independence substation, said deputies gained the assistance of 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry in processing several cases, resulting in multiple 90-day sentences to the Oakland County Jail.