A Cumberland man, Joseph Robert Benson III, is in custody after police discovered him asleep in his running vehicle at Second and Seymour Streets. Officers responded to a suspicious person report Thursday and found the 40-year-old in a parked car with its engine running. Upon being awakened, Benson allegedly tried to drive away, prompting police to intervene.
Controlled Substances and Attempted Escape
During the incident, police observed controlled dangerous substances in Benson’s vehicle, which were reportedly visible at the time of the attempted escape. Officers forcibly removed Benson from the vehicle as he tried to evade them. The presence of the substances led police to take him into custody on charges of possessing a controlled dangerous substance (not marijuana) and resisting arrest.
DUI and Driving Citations Issued
In addition to drug possession and resisting arrest, Benson faces several driving-related citations, including driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired by drugs, and negligent driving. Following his arrest, he was presented before a district court commissioner and has been held on a temporary commitment as he awaits a bond hearing.
Police remain vigilant in addressing issues related to substance use and impaired driving in the community, emphasizing the need for public safety in similar cases.
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