Waco police cuff students for intoxication

By Rob Bradfield
Staff Writer

Late-night celebrations led to the arrest of five Baylor students Tuesday night.

Waco police responded to complaints from residents of the neighborhood between campus and 18th Street at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton of the Waco Police Department said residents reported several young men running around the neighborhood, banging on doors and running away.

“Witnesses stated that there were several males running around in the nude,” Swanton said.

Waco police stopped a black Chevrolet pickup matching the description and license plate number provided by witnesses on the 1100 block of Wood Avenue.

Officers arrested five students.

Swanton said all five students were found to be intoxicated, and the driver was charged with a DWI.

Two students in the car were under 21 and charged with public intoxication.

The remaining two students were charged with providing alcohol to a minor.

The driver was detained and posted $5,000 bond.

Baylor Police Chief Jim Doak said Baylor is aware of the situation, but the university has yet to take any action against the students.

“Our police were over at the scene with [the Waco police], but this was their arrest,” Doak said.

Swanton said charges have not been brought against the five for public indecency.

When officers stopped the truck, all five were clothed, and none of the witnesses has pressed charges against the students.

Swanton said the police department is treating the initial incident as “a prank gone awry,” and the department’s main concern was the students’ actions after they put their clothes back on.

“The issue is when you get into a vehicle and put others at risk,” Swanton said.