An Illinois man is accused of driving under the influence of heroin and alcohol. But he also received several citations for throwing items out the window of his car and refusing to pull over for law enforcement officials during a traffic stop.
Robert Piette, 40, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office with two felony counts of possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (2nd offense), and operating a motor vehicle while revoked. If convicted of all charges, Piette faces up to 25 years seven months in prison and/or fines up to $24,100.
According to a criminal complaint by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office, a deputy with the Racine County Sheriff’s Department was traveling northbound on Interstate 94 about a half-mile south of Highway K when a car in front of him swerved into another lane and then back into its lane. This happened multiple times. The deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop on Piette, but he wouldn’t stop.
For several miles, Piette kept driving as the deputy followed him in his squad car with his light and sirens on. During that time, Piette threw out several items. One of the larger items struck the squad car and windshield, causing it to crack.
When Piette pulled over, a K-9 alerted the deputy to the presence of narcotics in Piette’s car. Inside a bag, they found four used needles and a small amount of heroin. He told them he was from Illinois and on his way to Milwaukee, and that he drank alcohol from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refusing to submit to a blood draw, the deputy obtained a warrant to order Piette to submit to a blood draw.
Results are still pending from that blood draw, but the residue found inside the plastic bag tested positive for fentanyl and heroin. Piette’s driver’s license was revoked on Dec. 27, 2005, the criminal complaint reads.
Piette was released from the Racine County Jail on a $2,500 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. March 15.