Drunken Suspect Allegedly Steals Jeep, Leads Cops On Mile-Long Car Chase

A New York man was arraigned in Nantucket District Court on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a Jeep while intoxicated and leading Massachusetts State Police Troopers on a mile-long car chase.

Brian Dorman, 25, of New York, NY, was arraigned on July 3 charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

According to the police report, an individual reported their 2021 White Jeep Wrangler as stolen out of the Nantucket Yacht Club parking lot just after midnight on July 3. Two state troopers responded to the scene and confirmed with the vehicles owner what had happened.

While patrolling Broad Street, state trooper Patrick G. O’Toole observed the Jeep take a right onto South Water Street and then a left onto Oak Street. O’Toole followed the vehicle and activated his blue lights.

But that was just the beginning, as O'Toole said in the report that Dorman didn’t stop and carried on with his journey. O’Toole said he followed Dorman down numerous roads, including Easy Street, and that Dorman drove the car over the yellow lines and slowed down and sped up “a few times.”

The chase went on for approximately one mile. Dorman did not come to a complete stop until he reached the dead end on Bathing Beach Road.

O’Toole said once he approached the vehicle, he saw Dorman lean over and reach into the center console. When O’Toole was at the driver’s side window, Dorman kept one hand in the console and was removed by force from the vehicle, resulting in minor cuts to his knees and chin.

As Dorman was being placed in handcuffs, officers noticed urine stains on his tan shorts. After three more officers arrived on scene, they asked Dorman whose Jeep he was driving but he did not respond.

When Dorman was asked how many drinks he had during the night, he replied “enough.”

O’Toole said Dorman’s speech was slurred. He was observed to have glossy, bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcohol emanating from his breath.

Dorman agreed to field sobriety tests, but failed them all. Following his arrest, he told police at the station he was not signing anything or doing any more tests. He also was slurring his speech while answering questions and began to become argumentative during standard booking questions, O’Toole said.

During District Court on Monday, Dorman had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf and he was ordered to return to court Aug. 22 for a pretrial hearing.

O'Toole said Nantucket Police "determined that the vehicle was not stolen but was being used without authority."

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.