VERO BEACH — A 65-year-old man who continued to gulp down a beer in front of police after the officer instructed him it was illegal to drink alcohol in public, was arrested Tuesday, authorities said.
Ralph Boardman
PHOTO PROVIDED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The man – identified as Ralph Boardman – told the officer, “If I’m going to jail, I might as well finish it,” reports show. Boardman gulped down the cold beer on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, when the temperature was about 90 degrees, weather forecasters said.
Police arrested Boardman, who was described as homeless, on a charge of possession or consume alcohol in public. Boardman was sentenced to 10 days at the Indian River County Jail.
A Vero Beach police officer spotted Boardman about 1 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of 19th Street. Boardman was drinking from a 16-ounce can of Steel Reserve, reports show.
The policeman told Boardman that drinking alcohol in public was prohibited, authorities said. Boardman continued to drink the beer in front of the officer and said he might as well finish it, reports show.
Boardman was arrested and taken to the county jail.
