Leader Staff
For the second time in less than a week, Shawano police on Tuesday nabbed an alleged multiple-offense drunken driver after being tipped off to his driving by a caller.
James P. Rybicki, 55, is facing a felony count of sixth-offense operating while intoxicated while driving with a child in the vehicle. He could face a maximum 12 years in prison and a $20,000 fine if convicted. He could also have his driving privileges revoked for up to six years.
Police were alerted about 6:30 p.m. that Rybicki was leaving the Shawano Medical Center, where he had visited someone, and getting into a vehicle. They said he was intoxicated and had a 5-year-old child with him.
He was spotted and pulled over at Green Bay and Eberlein streets.
According to the criminal complaint, Rybicki failed several field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.
Rybicki was arrested and the child was turned over to a family friend, according to the complaint.
According to court records, Rybicki has two previous OWI convictions in Menominee County, two in Waupaca County and one in Shawano County.
He was sentenced on his most recent conviction in Waupaca County in 2001 to a year in jail as a condition of five years probation.
Rybicki was ordered held on a $4,500 cash bond after an appearance Wednesday before Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr.
He is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance on Monday.
Shawano police made an OWI arrest under similar circumstances Saturday when an anonymous caller reported that Jerry A. Jarvis, 48, of Shawano, was allegedly driving drunk.
Jarvis is charged with eighth-offense OWI and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He is also scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.