By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to an Assembly Row location last Sunday on a check condition of a male party that may be asleep behind the wheel.

The party in question was located at the intersection of Middlesex Ave. and Mystic Ave. in a white cargo van, parked up against a support beam for signage to the highway. The vehicle was wedged against the pole and there was damage to the front of the vehicle.

Officers approached the passenger compartment and spotted a man, later identified as Vando Soares DaSilva, sitting in the driver’s seat.

As DaSilva did not speak English, an interpreter was called to the scene to translate.

The officer removed DaSilva from the vehicle and noted that he was unsteady on his feet and had to hold onto the vehicle for balance. At one point he reportedly swayed forward and grabbed for the door frame to hold himself up.

According to reports, the officers could smell the odor of alcohol coming from DaSilva’s breath. They also noted that his eyes appeared bloodshot and glassy, and his speech sounded slurred.

Due to the odor of alcohol, unsteadiness on his feet, slurred speech, and bloodshot, glassy eyes, DaSilva was asked if he would perform roadside testing.

DaSilva, when asked, stated he does not wear glasses nor does he wear contacts. He had no injuries that would preclude him from performing any balance or walking tests. He stated he is not on any type of medication.

DaSilva did only two tests as he was having difficulty following the directions. The first was a .089. The second was .175

DaSilva was placed in handcuffs and informed that he was under arrest, then transported to the station in the prisoner transport vehicle and was booked in the usual manner on charges of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.