A Canton man with six prior OVI convictions was arrested early Sunday after an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper stopped him for allegedly disregarding a stop sign, authorities said.
Lawrence D. Baldwin Jr., 45, of Canton, was arrested on a felony OVI charge following the Sept. 27 traffic stop, according to the Highway Patrol.
A trooper from the Canton Post was patrolling in the city around 1:28 a.m. when he observed a 2005 Dodge Dakota disregard a stop sign at Market Avenue and 14th Street, the patrol said. The trooper then initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, the trooper observed several signs of impairment, leading to Baldwin’s arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the patrol.
Authorities said Baldwin was offered a chemical test but refused.
The Highway Patrol said Baldwin has six previous OVI convictions, stemming from offenses in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2018 and a felony OVI offense in 2020.
He was booked into the Stark County Jail on third-degree felony OVI charges. He also faces charges related to failing to stop or yield at a stop sign, a seat belt violation and refusing an OVI test.
The Highway Patrol reminded motorists to plan ahead for sober transportation and to report suspected impaired drivers by calling #677.
