While attempting to locate a stolen vehicle on Nov 22, a Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy located something else instead — a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed, traveling back and forth across a gravel road near Marco.

Deputy Jordan Allor was attempting to locate a stolen vehicle and was parked in his patrol car on County Road 1075 South/South Riggins Street in Marco when he observed headlights coming from the west. He also noticed the direction of the headlights would shine to the north and then to the south several times. Due to the way the lights were shining, he believed the vehicle was sliding back and forth on the gravel road causing the headlights to shine to the north and south. As the vehicle approached Allor’s location, it was traveling at a high rate of speed. As it got closer, it allegedly slowed down, almost coming to a stop. 

The vehicle, a 2006 blue GMC truck, turned south onto South State Road 67 and accelerated at a high rate of speed. As Allor came up behind the vehicle, it turned right onto County Road 1075 South/South Riggins Street. As it turned, Allor wrote in the probable cause affidavit, the tires were spinning and accelerating. 

Allor initiated a traffic stop and the truck pulled into a driveway. Allor noticed the vehicle’s license plates had expired in November 2020.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as James Allen Picou, 47, of Lyons. 

Allor explained the reason for the traffic stop. Picou said he recently purchased the truck and had been doing some work on it. He said he wanted to take it for a drive in the country and noticed Allor parked, looking suspicious. Allor told Picou he had noticed the truck sliding back and forth on a gravel road. Picou said he was checking to see if the truck had any power, then allegedly laughed. 

While talking to Picou, Allor noticed his eyes were glassy and red. An odor of alcohol could also be smelled coming from his breath. Picou admitted to having two shots while working on the truck but said he had not been drinking and driving. 

Picou did not have his license on his person. He told the officer he was just taking a loop in the country. Allor had Greene County Dispatch run Picou’s information, which returned that his license had been suspended. 

During the vehicle inventory, an open bottle of Jim Beam was located in the passenger seat. An empty bottle of Jim Beam was located in the bed of the truck. 

Picou was transported to Greene County Jail where a field sobriety and chemical test were performed. He failed both. 

Picou’s bond was set at $4,000 surety with 10 percent allowed. 

When he appears in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on Dec. 8 he will be formally charged with: 

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated while endangering a person, a Class A Misdemeanor

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C Misdemeanor

• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least .08 but less than .15, a Class C Misdemeanor