LA GRANDE — La Grande police Tuesday, Aug. 8, responded to a call about a careless driver and ended up arresting Eric Halbert, 41, of La Grande, for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Around 11 p.m., officer Ben Johnson responded to the complaint in the area of Adams Avenue and Elm Street, according to the probable cause declaration. A caller told dispatch about a blue Dodge pickup with black wheels that was speeding and “spinning the tires.”

Johnson caught up with the pickup at Adams Avenue, where he reportedly saw the vehicle turn left without signaling.

Police later identified the driver as Halbert, court documents said.

While approaching the intersection of Adams and Islands avenues, the traffic light turned red, but Halbert ran the light, according to the probable cause declaration. Johnson recognized officer Jamey Carman’s patrol car on the other side of the intersection and radioed Carman, who initiated a traffic stop.

Halbert pulled over near Adams Avenue and Cherry Street and, during the traffic stop, allegedly searched his pockets for his wallet before telling the police he left it at home and was on the way to pick up a friend.

“During the investigation, Halbert’s demeanor was up and down from calm and respectful to disrespectful and uncooperative,” according to Carman.

Johnson noted at one point Halbert put his hands up and told them not to shoot because he was just looking for his wallet.

Halbert initially told police he had not had anything to drink, but later said he had a couple of drinks, according to the probable cause declaration. He insisted he had not been at a bar but said he was drinking earlier at home.

Halbert asked if he could call his girlfriend, according to the report, and police asked him not to make any calls. However, Halbert made a call and told the person on the other end that he was going to jail because of “racism,” the court documents said. He also said he had been going out to buy cigarettes.

Halbert requested a Native American officer, but police told him there were no Native American officers working, according to the probable cause declaration.

Halbert reportedly would not give clear consent to a standardized field sobriety test. Police arrested him and took him to the Union County Jail. Police also obtained a search warrant to test Halbert’s blood for alcohol.

La Grande attorney Rick Dall represents Halbert, who has an Oct. 10 court date to enter a plea.