By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Highland Ave. location last week on reports of a motor vehicle hitting a trash dumpster.

Officers located the scene of the incident near the corner of Highland Ave, and Benton Road, where they spotted a male party, later identified as Karl Baer, of South Boston, standing by the open driver side door of a car.

Baer was asked if he was all right and if he needed any medical attention. He reportedly shook his head side to side and stated that he did not, sighed, and pointed at the car saying he hit the nearby dumpster.

According to reports, the airbags were deployed in the car and the dumpster had been pushed into the street.

Baer reportedly told police that his friend was driving and he took off running after striking the dumpster. The officers asked Baer why his friend took off and if the vehicle was stolen. Baer reportedly stated that the car belongs to his friend and he just took off running.

The officers asked Baer for his friend’s name but he stated he did not know it.

According to reports, Baer was unsteady on his feet. As he got closer, the officers noticed that his eyes were bloodshot, watery, and they could smell the odor of alcohol on his breath as he spoke.

Baer was asked if he had been drinking and he said that he had a few. The officers asked what he was drinking and he stated mixed drinks.

The officers turned Baer over to EMT personnel to be checked out, but Baer declined medical attention.

The officers informed dispatch that the driver may have taken off and asked if they could call for a tow.

The officers then began to do an inventory of the vehicle, during which they found a cell phone unlocked on the driver front seat. They asked Baer if the phone belonged to him and he reportedly stated that he did not know.

An officer called the last person to see if some information could be obtained. The spoke to a female listed in the phone contacts, who stated the phone belonged to Baer. The call dropped before her information could be gathered.

The officers continued to conduct their inventory and found a Massachusetts registration with Baer’s name on it and a set of plates which were active.

Baer was asked once again who the vehicle belonged to and he reportedly stated that he did not know. When asked if he had been driving, he stated that he did not know.

Baer was asked if he would consent to field sobriety tests, at which time he reportedly shook his head and said, “No.”

At this point, the officers informed Baer that he was being placed under arrest for operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Baer was transported to the Somerville Police Department and booked on the above stated charge.