By Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 28, 2012
CLEARWATER — Salvador Rojo Medina's first mistake wasn't that he chucked his Modelo beer can out the window of his truck window while driving.
But that action was what caught the attention of a Clearwater police officer Friday night.
The officer quickly pulled over Rojo Medina's 2002 Ford F150, which was eastbound on Sunset Point Road approaching King's Highway at about 10:30 p.m.
In an arrest affidavit, the officer wrote he could "smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage" emanating from the 30-year-old man's breath.
The officer also spotted cocaine on the center console. A child was sitting in the backseat.
Police arrested Rojo Medina on several charges, including driving under the influence, child abuse, driving on a suspended or revoked license and possession of a controlled substance.
Police did not release the age or gender of the child or the relationship to Rojo Medina.
Public records show Rojo Medina has been cited in the past for license issues, including driving with one that was suspended or revoked and not having one at all.
He remained in the Pinellas County Jail on Saturday.