Disturbing body camera footage has emerged showing the moment police officers in Colorado discovered three young children hidden in the trunk of a car during a routine traffic stop for suspected drunk driving. The incident, which occurred in freezing temperatures, has led to multiple serious charges against the driver.
Traffic Stop Escalates to Shocking Discovery
On the evening of January 23, Westminster Police Department officers pulled over a vehicle for reckless driving just after 5 p.m. Upon approaching the car, officers immediately detected a strong smell of alcohol emanating from the interior, prompting them to question the driver about possible intoxication.
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Michael Raiola, is seen on bodycam footage initially denying he was drunk before making a startling admission about his driving behaviour. "I was acting like an idiot," Raiola tells officers in the video evidence that has since been released to the public.
Children Found in Dangerous Conditions
After refusing to perform voluntary roadside sobriety tests, Raiola unexpectedly revealed that three children were concealed in the trunk of his vehicle. Police confirmed this alarming claim, discovering the minors unharmed but exposed to freezing outdoor temperatures during the traffic stop.
"Yes, you read that right," the Westminster Police Department stated in an official social media post about the incident. "Sure enough, three kids were in the trunk. We'd like to point out it was also freezing temps outside during this stop."
Officers recovered several bottles of alcohol from inside the vehicle during their investigation of the scene. The children were subsequently released to family members after Child Protection Services were contacted and became involved in the case.
Multiple Charges Filed Against Driver
Raiola now faces a series of serious charges including driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to provide valid insurance documentation, and three separate counts of child abuse. Following his arrest at the scene, he was transported to Adams County Jail for processing and detention.
In the concluding moments of the bodycam footage, an officer questions Raiola about his decision to conceal the children's presence, asking pointedly: "You didn't think that'd have been a good idea to say something before?" The officer had earlier remarked that Raiola was "lucky you didn't hit somebody" given his dangerous driving behaviour.
The Westminster Police Department has emphasised the grave risks posed by such actions, particularly given the freezing weather conditions that could have resulted in hypothermia or other cold-related injuries to the children confined in the vehicle's trunk.
