Crime & Safety
Police Say Drunk Driver Had Car Full of Weapons
Suspect, 53, was swerving on Highway 31 before he was arrested by a Caledonia police officer and charged with drunk driving (fourth offense).
A 53-year-old Racine man is accused of driving drunk through Caledonia Thursday with car full of weaponry.
Michael B. Derwae was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Friday with one count of possession of an electric weapon, one count of fourth offense operating while intoxicated, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of carrying a switchblade knife. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and $42,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint:
Find out what's happening in Caledoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At 4:40 p.m. Thursday, several drivers called 911 after they saw a car being driven recklessly in a gray Ford Mustang on Highway 32 near 7 Mile Road. One caller said Derwae was now headed southbound on Highway 31 and an officer was able to eventually catch up to the car near Kings Cove and pull it over.
As the officer approached the Mustang, he was overcome by the smell of alcohol and then spotted Derwae slumped over behind the wheel of the car. When asked if he had been drinking, Derwae said no, but then he had a difficult time getting out of the car.
Find out what's happening in Caledoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
An officer then patted down Derwae and found a switchblade knife in his jeans pocket. Another officer searched the Mustang and found multiple knives, clubs, brass knuckles and an electric weapon.
Derwae failed two field sobriety tests, but was then stopped due to concerns about his safety. He was then taken to All Saints Medical Center for a blood alcohol test.
Derwae was previously convicted of OWI in 1992 and twice in 1998. He’s currently being held in Racine County Jail on $9,500 bond while awaiting trial.
