TAVERNIER — A 38-year-old Naples man accused of driving drunk and hitting a gas pump before driving away was arrested Wednesday afternoon, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Patrick Higgins was charged with hit and run, DUI, two counts of DUI with property damage, refusal to submit to DUI tests and four counts of refusal to sign a citation. All are misdemeanors.
The incident began at 2:30 p.m. when deputies were notified that a man, later identified as Higgins, was driving a blue BMW convertible that struck a gas pump at the Chevron station, 91860 Overseas Highway, and left the scene southbound on U.S.1 reports say.
He was later stopped at Mile Marker 90 where he reportedly admitted to hitting a “sign” while at the gas station.
Deputies noted he appeared to be drunk and took him to the Monroe County Detention Center on Plantation Key, where he reportedly threatened to urinate in a garbage can and generally refused to sign citations.
Other deputies found a bottle of vodka in the BMW, reports say.
The incident caused about $1,000 in damage to the gas pump, reports say.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
If you have information that could help solve a crime in the Florida Keys, call Crime Stoppers, 800-346-TIPS.
