ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- An off-duty St. Petersburg police officer was charged with a DUI early Saturday, according to the police department.

  • Off-duty officer charged with DUI
  • Pinellas deputies pulled over Sgt. Lesandro Santiago
  • Deputies say Santiago was swerving his car 

Sgt. Lesandro Edwin Santiago, 44, was driving his personal car at about 3 a.m. on 4th Street South when he was stopped by a Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies.

Santiago was swerving his car, according to the Sheriff's Office. According to a news release, Santiago had bloodshot, glassy eyes and a "distinct" odor of alcohol coming from his mouth.

Santiago agreed to take a field sobriety test, but "performed poorly," according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies say Santiago refused a breath sample and admitted to drinking alcohol. 

Santiago was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. 

The police department has removed Santiago from patrol duties and placed him administrative duty. The agency will conduct an internal investigation once Santiago's criminal charge is resolved.

Santiago has been an officer with St. Petersburg Police since March 2003. 

Lesandro Santiago, 44, an officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department, was arrested and charged with a DUI early Saturday. (Courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail)
Lesandro Santiago, 44, an officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department, was arrested and charged with a DUI early Saturday. (Courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail)