Bernard L. Ritchie III, 33, New London, is charged with a fourth drunken driving offense, operating after revocation and three counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.
On March 31, Ritchie appeared in Waupaca County Circuit Court on a misdemeanor charge of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. He was released on a $1,000 signature bond.
Shortly before 3:30 a.m. April 26, New London Police Officer Ben Schmidt was dispatched to the McDonald’s parking lot in response to a report of an intoxicated driver.
When he arrived, Schmidt reported finding Ritchie sitting in the driver’s seat of the car.
According to the criminal complaint, Schmidt saw Ritchie place something on the center console that he later discovered were the car keys.
A blood test indicated Ritchie had a 0.304 blood-alcohol level, more than three times the legal limit.
Ritchie was previously convicted of drinking and driving offenses in December 2004, April 2006 and September 2013, when his driver’s license was last revoked and not reinstated, according to court records.