BEDFORD — A South Bend man was taken into custody on Sunday after a multi-hour saga involving several local businesses, alleged theft, and a dangerously high blood alcohol level.
Matthew David Wieczorek, 33, faces a charge of public intoxication following a series of encounters with the Bedford Police Department during inclement weather on January 25, 2026.
The situation began when Officer Brian Sorrells was dispatched to check the welfare of a man who had been turned away from the Indiana Center for Recovery for smelling strongly of alcohol. Officer Sorrells located Wieczorek walking in the middle of Mitchell Road.
In an effort to assist him, the officer provided Wieczorek with several rides to reach a safe location. Citgo-Hoosier Pete’s was found to be closed due to the weather. Circle K at 1428 16th Street, Wieczorek was denied service due to his apparent intoxication. Despite the officer confirming availability and repeatedly offering transport to the Men’s Warming Shelter, Wieczorek refused the shelter, insisting on going to a gas station.
Officer Sorrells eventually dropped Wieczorek at a second Circle K at 729 16th Street, warning him that he could be arrested for public intoxication if any further complaints were received.
A short time later, the manager of the second Circle K contacted police, reporting that Wieczorek had allegedly stolen beer from the store. The manager discovered him sitting in the snow nearby with three “tall boy” beers. When she informed him she was calling the police, Wieczorek reportedly fled on foot into the snow, leaving the alcohol behind.
Due to severe weather, road conditions, and a high volume of stranded motorists, an initial search for Wieczorek was unsuccessful.
Later that evening, police received another complaint from the original Circle K on 16th Street, stating Wieczorek had returned and was again asking for alcohol. Officers finally located him outside a CVS Pharmacy at 1206 16th Street.
At the time of his arrest, officers noted that Wieczorek was unsteady on his feet, was slurring his speech, and smelled of alcohol.
A preliminary breath test revealed a breath alcohol concentration (BrAc) of 0.29—more than three times the legal driving limit. He was transported to I.U. Health Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
