Police: ESPN Radio Host's Car Reeked of Pot Smoke
'Strong odor of fresh cannabis' and request to call mayor reported in details of DUI stop in Skokie.
(03/14) Update -
Harry Teinowitz will not return to the air Monday after ESPN executives learned about new information regarding his arrest.
He was originally supposed to be suspended until the end of Friday, March 11, but ESPN officials decided to suspend him indefinitely after learning new details about his arrest (see below).
"We plan to discuss and look into the new information that has emerged," a spokesman told Crain's Chicago Business.
(03/11) Earlier -
New details regarding the drunken driving charge against ESPN radio personality Harry Teinowitz emerged today as the Skokie police released a report detailing the arrest.
According to the report, police heard a dispatch about a possible driving under the influence suspect near the 8800 block of Kolmar Avenue on March 5 around midnight. A driver who saw Teinowitz told a police dispatcher that he “was convinced [Teinowitz] was either going to crash or seriously injure himself.”
The report further noted the caller said Teinowitz’s car was swerving across all lanes of traffic.
Police later spotted a vehicle matching the description given by the caller and saw Teinowitz’s car “suddenly swerve over to the right side of the road, almost striking the curb,” according to the report.
When Teinowitz was pulled over, officers immediately detected “a very strong odor of fresh cannabis emitting from inside the vehicle.” The officers asked him if he had marijuana in his possession, to which the radio host replied that he didn’t have any. When asked why the car reeked of marijuana, Teinowitz replied that his car was recently parked by a valet, who he said must have been smoking marijuana in the vehicle.
Unfortunately for Teinowitz, he had a green leafy substance on his shirt that police suspected was cannabis. Again, officers asked where the marijuana was and this time Teinowitz didn’t respond, according to the report.
Teinowitz, 50, told police that he was just returning from the Blackhawks hockey game in Chicago and agreed to a field sobriety test. Throughout the process, he was “unable to keep his balance” and “almost fell over” during one of the tests, according to the report.
The officers ultimately stopped the test because they feared Teinowitz was going to fall and hurt himself, the report noted.
At the police station, Teinowitz advised police several times that the officers “could not do this as he works for the Disney Company and he would lose his job.” He asked several times if he could call “the mayor,” a request they denied.
Teinowitz, who was suspended as host of "The Afternoon Saloon," had a blood alcohol content level of .131 and was charged with improper lane usage and driving under the influence of alcohol. Police decided not to file charges relating to possible marijuana use.
To read our previous coverage, click here.
Kathy Ruhnke
4:38 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
I'm curious what he thought the mayor would do for him.
George Slefo
5:27 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
Me too. Especially at midnight!
Adam Turetzky
2:07 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
zOMG did the professional evidence collectors for the prosecution find "proof" of wrong doing? Alert the media! I'm sure Harry, innocent until proven guilty, will mount a defense against these charges.
Ruth H
2:31 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
He is in the media because He's a popular local radio host who works for espn. There is a witness who saw him driving mad. There is probably also witnesses and video of him drinking at the Blackhawks game. Oh yea, blew a .131, almost twice the legal limit.
He was charged with a DUI and it looks like it is going to stick. I don't understand your argument here. There were no marijuana charges.
Adam Turetzky
3:01 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
OMG Ruth, we might as well throw him in jail without a trial! It's not like anyone with an axe to grind may have provided false statements to the prosecution to cause his detention when he was tricked out of his right to remain silent and not cooperate in the collection of evidence against him! And my god, are you sure there MUST be witnesses that can prove his guilt from a stadium gathering of 10,000 citizens who professionally witnessed his behavior which then translated to the streets of Skokie hours later! Ruth, we must sweep the streets of these obvious ne'er do wells! The smell of pot, which our own representative Louis Lang is working on legalizing, wafting from their cars, we shall punish them all for their perceived transgressions even if it is only one citizen with an axe to grind who has alerted prosecution to an alleged wrong doing! At least he wasn't a Muslim!
Ted
9:12 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The valet smoked in your car? Really, Harry? Did the dog eat your homework too? Come on, man!
MIB
10:49 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Nice, throw the valet under the bus. I wondered why he wasn't on the program, although I can't say that he has been missed. I feel sorry for his wife and kids because the ESPN gig is a sweet one, and I would say that his days are numbered. Back to being a bad standup comedian, Harry.
The irony, of course, is that he makes more than enough money to take a cab from the UC to Evanston.
Eb
9:04 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Say good-bye to that Dealer car Harry. By the way Harry, how old are you 17? Way to embarass the shit out of your family.