Intoxicated Westport Man Found With Illegal Weapon in Vehicle

Westport police officers were dispatched to Main Street following a report of an erratic driver, which eventually turned up an illegal knife, according to police records.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle which was observed crossing the double center line at various times while being followed by officers. The officer could smell alcohol on the driver's breath while speaking with him, according to police.

The driver's speech was slow and slurred and his eyes were red, bloodshot and glassy, police said. He failed the field sobriety test and was taken into custody. 

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While being searched, the officer located a spring loaded, switch-blade knife in a front shirt pocket. The driver submitted to a breath test with the following results: 0.199 and 0.185, police said.

Westport police charged 73-year-old Alan Sterling, of 24 Hale Street, with carrying and sale of dangerous weapons, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to drive right at a slow speed, according to the arrest report. 

He later posted a $500 cash bond for the motor vehicle charges and was released on a promise to appear for the criminal charge. He is due in Norwalk Superior Court December 5.