Apopka police officer arrested for suspected DUI while driving his patrol vehicle, police say

EUSTIS, Fla. – A police officer with the Apopka Police Department was arrested on the Fourth of July for suspected DUI while in his patrol vehicle and in uniform, the Apopka and Eustis police departments said.

The 25-year-old police officer was stopped Monday evening by an Eustis police officer after the agency received a report about a reckless driver who was in an Apopka Police Department vehicle, according to the Lake County arrest report. That driver was later identified as Oscar Mayorga.

Mayorga, who was in his police-issued vehicle police-issued uniform, allegedly told the officer that he was on his way to work. The report said Mayorga, who has been with the department for five years, was scheduled to work that evening.

Mayorga’s vehicle was found on South Avenue near S. Grove Street in Eustis, a city about 45 minutes northwest of Orlando, and signaled Mayorga to pull over. The officer noted that Mayorga did not immediately pull over, but eventually did.

The man’s speech was slurred and there was an open beer can in the center cupholder, the report said. The arresting officer also noted a “strong odor of alcohol emitting from his (Mayorga’s) breath.”

Mayorga reportedly told the officer that he did not drink any alcohol and had taken three Benadryl pills, however, later demitted to drinking three “tall boys,” or 24-ounce cans.

He was arrested under suspicion of DUI and booked into the Lake County Jail. He was released early Tuesday morning, according to online records.

In a news release, Apopka police said Mayorga had been placed on administrative leave without pay pending a review of the incident.

Clarification: Initially, Apopka police said Mayorga was placed on administrative leave with pay. In a later update, Apopka police said the officer had been suspended without pay.