Joseph Schmidt, 40, of the 15500 block of Whitehall Lane, Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license December 14 after he was found inside his van with its rear wheels on top of a curb embedded in a snowbank, police said.
Police said they responded to an assistance call of a disturbance at an Orland Hills’ bar. When police arrived, Schmidt was gone but patrons were able to give police his license plate number, which they traced back to his home.
Schmidt was walking in his driveway when police arrived and they detected alcohol on his breath. Police also said they found an open bottle of alcohol in the center console of his vehicle.
When police asked Schmidt for identification, he reportedly said that he “does not have to answer any questions and that he is a free citizen.” Police said that Schmidt denied both driving or owning the van.”
He was charged with DUI, driving off the roadway and illegal transportation of alcohol, police said.