(La Porte County, IN) - A man seems to think his alleged drinking and driving is not a crime even after he nearly collided with another motorist in La Porte last evening.

 

During his arrest for operating while intoxicated, Brandon Mansfield told the officer he should look for “real criminals” instead, according to La Porte County Police.

 

His alleged blood alcohol level was .296 percent or nearly four times the legal limit.

 

About 7 p.m., the 33 year old Mansfield was eastbound on Johnson Road at 300 North when reported to 911 as a reckless driver by another motorist.

 

A responding officer after he began following observed him veer over the center line several times and almost strike an oncoming vehicle on Severs Road near Indiana 39.

 

After the officer activated his lights and siren, Mansfield didn’t pull over but stopped completely in the eastbound lane.

 

Police said Mansfield also told the officer he “should protect the community instead of taking an innocent person” and blamed the government for “just wanting to make money from people.”

 

The charge was upgraded to a Level 6 felony due to him having a prior OWI conviction from 2021.