LAKELAND, Fla. – A former police officer from Norwalk, Connecticut, was arrested on Saturday night for driving under the influence after nearly colliding with a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. Michael Dimeglio, 42, was taken into custody after exhibiting signs of impairment and admitting to consuming alcohol.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed Dimeglio’s Chevrolet Camaro drifting erratically through lanes on Socrum Loop Road North in Lakeland shortly before midnight on Saturday, May 7, 2025. His vehicle reportedly veered into oncoming traffic before swerving back into his lane, directly into the path of a PCSO deputy, forcing the deputy to brake abruptly to prevent a collision.
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Deputies initiated a traffic stop near a Publix, but Dimeglio failed to stop his vehicle multiple times before finally complying. Upon making contact with Dimeglio, deputies noted his bloodshot, watery eyes and detected a strong odor of alcohol.
When asked for his driver’s license, Dimeglio appeared disoriented, patting his pockets and looking around without responding. After repeated requests, he eventually claimed his license was in the trunk. Upon exiting his vehicle, deputies observed that Dimeglio was unsteady on his feet, slurring his speech, and had dilated pupils, requiring him to lean on his car for support.
Dimeglio admitted to deputies that he was returning from the beach and had consumed alcohol. A breathalyzer test revealed his blood alcohol content (BAC) to be .168, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
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During the arrest, Dimeglio informed deputies that he had served as a police officer for the City of Norwalk, Connecticut, for nine years and was terminated in 2020 for misconduct.
“This reckless behavior put lives in danger, and it’s especially disappointing coming from someone who once wore a badge,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard, and this former officer made a choice that could have cost lives.”
Dimeglio has been charged with DUI (Misdemeanor 2).
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