Couple Finds Unexpected Christmas “Present” In Their Car

A couple staying in a local hotel awoke Christmas morning to discover a less than pleasant present in their vehicle that had somehow appeared overnight, although most wouldn’t refer to the drunken man found in the car as a gift from Santa.

Early Christmas morning about 6:42 a.m., officers with the LaGrange Police Department were called to the LaFayette Garden Inn on LaFayette in reference to an Entering Auto in progress.

Officers arrived and spoke to the complainant, who stated her husband went to their vehicle earlier and found an unknown male passed out in the backseat.

Police opened the rear door to the silver Ford Expedition and found the male still lying across the backseat fast asleep. After several minutes of calling out and shaking the subject, later identified as Tyler Scott Alvarado, officers were able to wake him.

Immediately up on making contact with Alvarado, officers observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and his clothing appeared to be soaking wet from the heavy rain overnight.

Alvarado appeared to still be severely intoxicated, barely able to stand, and slurring every word he spoke.

Other than Alvarado’s presence, nothing appeared to be disturbed in the vehicle, which was likely unsecured due to no evidence of forced entry. The victim’s later advised there had been an unopened 24-pack of Bud Light beer in the vehicle, but it appeared as if Alvarado opened it and consumed 15 of the cans.

Due to the empty beer cans not being found in the vehicle and his soaking wet clothing, officers believe Alvarado was in and out of the vehicle throughout the night.

Alvarado was also wearing a wet green fleece jacket belonging to the victim, but she stated she no longer wanted the jacket back.

Alvarado, age 22, was then transported to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, where he began crying, saying he did not want to go to jail and that he does not remember how he got into the vehicle or where the empty cans went from where he consumed the beer during the night.

After explaining the reason for his arrest, Alvarado was booked into the Troup County Jail and charged with Entering Auto Theft and Public Drunkenness.

Alvarado was later released from the jail on $6,000 bond.

Tommy Murphy Staff Writer