BORDERLAND

Police say smile, wave only part of the story

3/3/2014

Joshua Barrett smiled at the Toledo police officers who were on a traffic stop in West Toledo, then gave a wave, and sped off.

It might have seemed friendly at first.

But police allege that the 33-year-old Maumee man made a 180-degree turn in the middle of a street and ran a red light at Central Avenue and Secor Road just after 2 a.m. Sunday.

After blowing through the light, Mr. Barrett is believed to have aimed his 2013 Chevrolet Malibu at the officers’ patrol car and, just before impact, stopped, smiled, waved, and sped away, according to documents filed in Toledo Municipal Court.

The officers took after the vehicle, reaching more than 70 mph on residential streets during a snowstorm, police said.

Mr. Barrett, of 6358 Brixton Rd., eventually pulled over and was arrested.

He is charged with failure to comply, driving under the influence, reckless operation, and failure to wear a seat belt.

Court records show Mr. Barrett took a breath test upon his arrest and registered a 0.154 blood-alcohol level, almost twice the legal limit. His bond was set in Toledo Municipal Court on Monday at $50,000, which was posted shortly after, according to jail records.