Linton man accused of public intoxication

Officers who found a Linton man operating a wheelchair in an erratic manner on a Linton street gave the man and his wheelchair a ride home but he’s being summoned into court on a charge of public intoxication.

Lance D. Wilgus, 66, of Linton, is being summoned to appear in court for an initial hearing in August as a result of an incident that occurred in Linton on May 26.

Wilgus is facing a preliminary charge of public intoxication that endangers life, a Class B misdemeanor.

On Tuesday, May 26, a little before 8 p.m., Officer John Agan and Officer Janzen Franklin of the Linton Police Department were dispatched to the area of West Vincennes Street and NW 3rd Street in Linton after the LPD received a report of a man in an electric wheelchair that was stuck in a hole.

Officer Agan, the lead investigator, said when they arrived, they located Wilgus, operating an electric wheelchair, in the middle of West Vincennes Street eastbound near 1st Street NW. Wilgus was reported to be traveling from the east bound lane into the west bound lane then back into the east bound lane. Officer Agan said a vehicle behind Wilgus attempted to pass the wheelchair but was not able due to the wheelchair’s erratic movements.  

The officers stopped Wilgus and reported he had a large bottle of vodka in one hand. When they asked for his identification, he handed them his phone. Due to his behavior and the circumstances, the officers believed Wilgus was heavily intoxicated.

The officers transported Wilgus and his wheelchair to his residence and advised him not to go out into the street again until he was sober.

The misdemeanor charge was later filed against him in Greene Superior Court and the summons was issued this week.