Court Date Set for Sacred Heart Priest Arrested on Suspicion of Drunken Driving

By Jule Walker-Altesleben
Press & Guide
August 10, 2012

http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2012/08/10/news/doc5025497b734d4454277444.txt

The Rev. Peter Petroske is scheduled to appear in 19th District Court at 1 p.m. Sept. 13 on charges of indecent exposure and operating under the influence of alcohol.

Petroske, the now-suspended head pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, is to appear before Judge Richard Wygonik.

According to a police report, Petroske was naked when his vehicle was pulled over at about 11 p.m. Aug. 2 near Garrison and Howe streets in Dearborn. He also told the officer that he liked to drive naked.

“I was uhhh ... hot ... I like to drive around naked,” Petroske said, according to the report, then adding, “… I don’t know what to say. … I’m embarrassed.”

Arresting Officer Robert Gafford wrote in the report that Petroske’s speech was slurred and that he smelled a “strong odor of intoxicants” on Petroske’s breath. Petroske’s eyes also were described as red and glassy.

Gafford allowed Petroske to gather the clothes scattered around his car and dress before stepping out of the vehicle for field sobriety tests, the report says. He failed the tests, including a standard counting exercise and partial recital of the alphabet.

An on-site Breathalyzer test was given and registered Petroske’s blood alcohol level at 0.09 percent, according to the report.

Under Michigan law, a person with a level of 0.08 percent or higher is considered intoxicated.

Both charges are misdemeanors.

The arrest came after a call from a witness who reported seeing a naked man driving a car near Telegraph Road and Michigan Avenue. The witness said he was unsure if his two young sons in the car also saw the naked man.

According to the report, Petroske’s path then took him to South Military Street, where he headed north toward Garrison before making a left turn there. Petroske finally stopped near Garrison and Howe streets after initially attempting to drive around a police cruiser.

The intersection is visible and within the same block as Sacred Heart School and other parish grounds, including the rectory, which formerly housed the priest.

The Archdiocese of Detroit released a statement Tuesday confirming that Petroske had been indefinitely suspended, including the mandate that he is not to be on school or church grounds during the ongoing investigation.

First reported by the Dearborn Press & Guide, Petroske’s arrest happened Aug. 2. Police were unable to comment then per their policy for ongoing investigations. The arresting report was obtained via the Freedom Of Information Act.

Petroske’s 2002 gold Volkswagon Passat was impounded and a belt, a laptop and $1 in cash also were taken into evidence, according to the report. It is unclear if the laptop or any of its contents are part of the ongoing investigation.

Calls to police for additional information were not immediately returned.

Lincoln Park attorney Edward Zelenak will represent Petroske. Zelenak said he has just signed on to the case and would refrain from commenting for now.

Petroske became head pastor at Sacred Heart Church and School in 2008 after a 14-year assignment at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Southgate. He was ordained nearly 30 years ago by the Archdiocese in Marquette.

The Rev. Robert Blondell, a retired priest, has been named temporary administrator of Sacred Heart parish and will oversee day-to-day operations there.

“The archdiocese takes such matters seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement,” the statement by the Archdiocese of Detroit said. “This is a difficult time for the parish community, and we ask for prayers for all who are impacted.”

Sacred Heart School, which offers courses for preschool children through the eighth grade, is on Garrison Street in Dearborn. The parish office is at 22430 Michigan Ave.

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