Man tries to use the police as taxi service
Star Beacon

Suspect charged with underage drinking calls police on himself
By MARGIE TRAX PAGE
Staff Writer

[1] mtrax@starbeacon.com
GENEVA - - A Madison man learned Wednesday morning that taxicabs are yellow, not black and white with flashing lights.

Steven Telle, 20, of Madison was arrested early Wednesday morning after he called the Geneva Police Department and demanded an officer drive him home from the Last Call Bar and Grill.

“I have been drinking here all night and just want a ride home,” Telle told police officers.

Telle, who identified himself to the officers as Steve Smith, insisted the officers drive him home. Officers checked Telle’s identification and determined he was too young to drink and also lied about his last name, police reports show.

“I am 20 - - but almost 21,” Telle told officers.

During the 2 a.m. response to the call, officers noted Telle was “highly intoxicated” and told officers he was peeved because he couldn’t get a taxi, police reports show.

“(Telle) began to indicate that it is the police department’s responsibility to take him home, since he could not find any other options,” police reports show.

Police reports state the Last Call bartender may be cited for having served a minor, although no complaint had been filed in Western County Court as of Wednesday afternoon. Officers said that the Last Call Bar may be reported to the state liquor control board, as it was cited for having also served a minor in 2006.

Telle was charged Wednesday in Western County Court with falsification and underage liquor consumption, first-degree misdemeanors. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, court records show. A pretrial hearing is set for Jan. 27.

Geneva Police Chief Dan Dudik said Telle posted bond Wednesday.

Dudik said the police department provides calls of service to stranded motorists in emergency situations but does not provide transportation for intoxicated bar patrons.

“Generally, we do not provide transportation. If we are called to service for an intoxicated person, an officer will attempt to call that person a cab or arrange other transportation,” Dudik said.
Dudik said intoxication is a voluntary state.

“To use police resources as a taxi service is an abuse of the police department. We are not here for that purpose,” he said.