Man arrested on suspicion of 10th OWI

DUNN COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) – A Menomonie man who had a suspended driver’s license was arrested yesterday on suspicion of driving while under the influence for the 10th time.

On May 30 at approximately 7:23 p.m., 54-year-old Mark Harmon of Menomonie, Wisconsin, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a traffic stop for driving without a license.

Harmon is charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (10th offense and subsequent offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional court documents show that charges were also filed for refusing to submit to a drug test after arrest.

A bail of $15,000 was required.

The arraignment is scheduled for July 19.

According to a criminal complaint, an officer at the intersection of 15th Street East and Dairyland Road in Menomonie ran a license plate check, which ultimately turned out to be Harmon’s. The officer then followed Harmon to a safer location to conduct a traffic stop.

While speaking with Harmon, the officer saw a yellow glass pipe with burn residue lying on the passenger seat. Harmon said he was unaware of his driving status and admitted to being on probation for OWI-related charges.

During the course of the conversation, Harmon admitted to smoking marijuana all day. Harmon agreed to a breathalyzer test and refused a breath test, saying, “I’ll tell you right now, I probably had too much to drink” and that he probably shouldn’t be driving.

The officer arrested Harmon and searched the vehicle, finding a container of suspected marijuana that later tested positive for THC.

A search warrant was signed for Harmon’s blood, the blood was drawn and sent for testing.

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