Dearborn Police: Priest Said He Liked "to Drive around Naked"

By George Hunter and Christine Ferretti
Detroit News
August 9, 2012

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120809/METRO01/208090465/Dearborn-police-Priest-said-he-liked-drive-around-naked-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Rev. Peter Petroske )

A Catholic priest accused of driving through the city in the nude while intoxicated last week told the officer who pulled him over that he liked "to drive around naked," according to a police report.

The Rev. Peter Petroske, 57, who is now on administrative leave from his post at Sacred Heart Parish, was questioned by Dearborn Officer Robert Gafford after police were called at 11:18 p.m. Aug. 2 to the Garrison and Haigh area.

According to the report, Petroske had a blood alcohol content level of .09.

"I approached the driver's side vehicle and observed Petroske to be completely naked. Petroske is attempting to grab clothing scattered around the vehicle," according to Gafford's report.

Gafford allowed Petroske to put on his clothes and began further questioning, inquiring about his nudity.

According to the police report, Petroske explained: "I was ... uhh ... hot. I like to drive around naked. I don't know what to say. I'm embarrassed."

Gafford noted Petroske was unable to touch the ends of fingers together and couldn't count one to four. The officer also asked Petroske to recite the alphabet from A to Q.

"Petroske began with 'a-l' and then stated 'l, m, n, k, w, x, y, z.' Petroske was slurring his speech throughout," according to Gafford's report.

Police took a laptop computer into evidence from the back seat of the gold 2002 Volkswagen Passat that Petroske had been driving.

A witness, Charles Edward Kudinski, told police he was driving northbound on Telegraph, approaching Michigan Avenue, and observed a vehicle driving in the same direction with its driver "naked," the report said.

Petroske is charged with misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicated and disorderly/obscene conduct, according to officials with Dearborn's 19th District Court.

Petroske will be arraigned before 19th District Judge Richard Wygonik on Tuesday.

Archdiocesan officials met with the parish staff Monday to inform them of Petroske's leave of absence. Officials said Petroske will not be on the premises of the church and school during the suspension.

Petroske was born in Frankfurt, Germany, according to an autobiography on Sacred Heart's website.