An Attleboro man has been charged with a fifth drunk driving offense after police say he allegedly stole an SUV, crashed into a vehicle and then fled the scene of the accident.
Robert Rowell, 39, was arrested at 11:21 a.m. Saturday and placed in a civil commitment. He is being held without bail pending a hearing.
Police responded to a call from a Rhode Island women who reported that her red Ford Explorer, which was parked in front of a food pantry on Linden Street with the motor running, was missing. The woman said she left Rowley, who was allegedly intoxicated, sleeping in the back seat.
Shortly after, officers learned that a vehicle fitting the Ford's description had been involved in a hit-and-run crash on North Main Street at Toner Boulevard and was last seen heading south on I-95. State police also received two calls reporting the same vehicle driving erratically on the highway.
Attleboro police found the vehicle parked in a grassy area off I-95 between exits 2 and 3 with Rowley inside. Officers also reported finding an opened 40-ounce bottle of beer and a nearly empty bottle of Southern Comfort in the vehicle.
Rowell reportedly shouted that a woman had been driving the SUV and that she fled into the woods, police said. He later admitted that he had been driving the vehicle.
According to police, Rowley, who reportedly urinated on himself during booking at the police station, refused a Breathalyzer test.
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Rowley was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, negligent driving, larceny of a vehicle and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
He is scheduled to appear in court on July 27.
