WARSAW — A Warsaw man has been charged with auto theft after drunkenly running a subject off of the road.

Zacaria Sage

Zacaria Christopher Sage, 28, 1041 North Park Ave., Warsaw, is being charged with auto theft, a level 6 felony, and operating while intoxicated with an enhancement, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 28 Warsaw Police were alerted of an auto theft. The vehicle owner had seen someone steal the white Ford F350 and leave northbound on Detroit Street.

While in pursuit of the auto theft, dispatch advised officers that another subject had just been run off the road by a white Ford F350. When officers spoke to the subject later, he advised Sage had crossed the center line on Park Avenue and almost caused a collision.

A license plate check verified it was the stolen vehicle. The subject followed the truck to a residence on Sunset Drive, Warsaw. When the subject approached the driver side, Sage got out of the vehicle and began cursing at him.

The affidavit states that officers arrived to the residence and identified Sage. When questioned, Sage stated that he had been at Buffalo Wild Wings when he started walking home and someone offered him a ride. He attested that he was a passenger in the vehicle.

According to the affidavit Sage has slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, was swaying while standing and emitted a smell of alcohol. The officer performed several field sobriety tests and Sage failed them. When asked to take a blood test Sage refused and a search warrant was obtained.

Sage was transferred to Lutheran Hospital for the blood test to be obtained. The reporting officer received the blood test on May 10; Sage’s blood alcohol contest was .27 percent.

Sage was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on April 28 and held with no bond.