Red Bank, NJ — The Red Bank DWI arrest bodycam footage released this week reveals a bizarre early-morning confrontation at a Wawa that ended in handcuffs.
In the early hours of March 31, 2025, officers responded to reports of an intoxicated driver at the Wawa Food Market on North Bridge Avenue. What they found was a confusing scene involving a woman, identified in the video as Francis Sullivan, who insisted she had never driven her car despite being in the driver’s seat with the keys.
The situation quickly escalated from a welfare check to a criminal investigation. Officers noted the suspect appeared to be missing adequate clothing, leading to a tense exchange about “articles of clothing” scattered inside the vehicle.
Table of Contents
Watch: Red Bank DWI Arrest Bodycam
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:03:57 where the suspect claims she doesn’t know what the problem is, despite officers explaining it multiple times.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began at approximately 3:22 AM when Red Bank Police Dispatch received calls from Wawa employees. They reported a car was driven into the lot by a woman who appeared intoxicated.
The Initial Confrontation
When Officer Grace Maggiulli and others arrived, they found a black Honda parked haphazardly. The woman inside, Francis Sullivan, immediately denied driving. “I never said I drove here,” she told police repeatedly.
Officers pointed out the logic gap. They noted the car was parked in a spot that didn’t exist when she claimed to have arrived earlier. Sullivan argued that she had been there for a long time, but officers weren’t buying it.
The “Missing Pants” Confusion
Things got strange when officers asked Sullivan to step out. One officer bluntly asked, “Francis, are you wearing shorts?”. He noted, “It doesn’t look like you have pants on”.
Sullivan claimed there were “many, many clothing” articles in her car. The bodycam audio captures the officers searching the vehicle later, looking for something for her to wear, finding a jacket and other items in the backseat.
Refusal to Cooperate
The officers tried to conduct a field sobriety test to determine her level of impairment. They asked, “Would you like to continue on with that at all?”.
Sullivan’s answer was a hard no. “No, not at all. Nope,” she replied. Without a field test to prove her sobriety, and based on the witness reports and their own observations, officers moved to arrest her.
The Arrest: Charges Against Francis Sullivan
Based on the Red Bank DWI arrest bodycam transcript and the police data sheet, Sullivan was taken into custody.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) | Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. | License suspension, fines, ignition interlock device, potential jail time. |
| Refusal to Submit to Testing | Refusing breathalyzer or field sobriety tests when suspected of DWI (Implied by refusal in text). | Mandatory license suspension, fines, insurance surcharges. |
Did you know? You can check arrest records for anyone in your neighborhood instantly. [Search Public Records Here]
Legal Analysis: Was the Red Bank DWI Arrest Justified?
Reasonable Suspicion and the Stop
Under the Fourth Amendment, police need “reasonable suspicion” to investigate. In this Red Bank DWI arrest bodycam case, the officers had strong grounds. They received credible tips from “Wawa employees” that the driver was intoxicated. This gave them the legal right to approach the parked vehicle and question Sullivan.
The “Operation” of the Vehicle
Sullivan’s main defense was, “I never drove here”. However, in New Jersey and many states, you don’t have to be moving to get a DWI. This is called “operation.”
- Keys: Sullivan had the keys around her neck.
- Intent: She was in the driver’s seat.
- Evidence: Witnesses saw the car arrive.
These factors usually satisfy the legal requirement for “operation” of the vehicle.
Refusal of Field Sobriety Tests
Sullivan refused the tests. While this is her right, it doesn’t stop the arrest. In fact, it often forces the officer’s hand. Without the test results to potentially clear her, the officer must rely on “totality of the circumstances”—slurred speech, confusion, and witness statements—to establish Probable Cause for the arrest.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 simple FAQs related to the charges in this case
What does a DWI charge mean?
DWI stands for “Driving While Intoxicated.” It means the police believe a person was operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In this case, the police report lists the incident type specifically as “DWI”.
Can you get a DWI if the car is parked?
Yes. In many states, you don’t have to be driving down the highway to be arrested. If you are in the driver’s seat with the keys and have the ability to drive, it counts as “operation.” In this video, officers arrested the suspect even though she insisted, “I never drove here”.
Do I have to take the Field Sobriety Test?
You have the right to refuse the physical tests (like walking the line), but there are consequences. Refusing often gives officers a reason to arrest you based on other signs of impairment. In the video, when asked to participate, the suspect replied, “No, not at all,” and was immediately placed under arrest.
Why did the police search the car without a warrant?
Police can search a car if they have “probable cause” (like seeing open alcohol containers) or if they are doing an “inventory search” before towing the car. In this specific incident, officers were also searching the vehicle to find “articles of clothing” because the suspect did not appear to be wearing pants.
What happens after a DWI arrest?
After the arrest, the suspect is taken to the police station for processing (fingerprints and mugshots). In this case, the police report shows the incident was “Cleared by Adult Arrest” on the same morning. The suspect is usually released later and given a court date to face the charges.
Conclusion & Current Status
Francis Sullivan was processed at the scene and the incident was cleared by adult arrest. The case is listed under Incident Number 25-04731 with the Red Bank Police Department.
As of the morning of March 31, 2025, the case is marked as “Closed by Arrest”. Sullivan mentioned a lawyer named “Peter O’Mara” during the interaction, suggesting she plans to fight the charges.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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