Police: Drunk Detective Wrecks Unmarked Car

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police detective was drunk when he slammed his unmarked car into a fence at a northwest-side business, police said.

IMPD Detective George 'Leon' Benjamin, 46, was arrested Sunday night after he drove his police-issued vehicle several times into a fence at Bryant Heating at 7310 W. Morris St., 6News' Renee Jameson reported.

According to the police report, security guards at the business alerted police to the crash. When officers arrived, they found Benjamin sitting near his car, visibly drunk, officers said.

Benjamin -- a 23-year veteran detective with the robbery division -- refused several field sobriety tests, according to the report, but agreed to take a Breathalyzer test. His blood alcohol content registered as .32, four times the legal limit.

Benjamin was arrested and preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with a BAC above .15 and public intoxication.

"It is a concern that it was that high, so that's why you're looking at two counts (operating and operating above .15)," said IMPD Lt. Jeffrey Duhamell. "There will be no special treatment. Officers know the ramifications if they go outside the law."

Benjamin was already under investigation for another incident on July 24. The Marion County prosecutor's office said that incident involved a hit-and-run crash and driving while intoxicated.

Prosecutors said they are reviewing both cases. No formal charges have been filed.

Benjamin was out of jail Monday and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. He has been placed on administrative duty with IMPD.