Police: Hit-and-run suspect 'had the runs'

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GAINESVILLE, Fla., April 26 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said a man told them he fled the scene of an accident and went to a Walmart because he "had the runs."

Gainesville police said Barnard Cato III was arrested Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence, hit and run and a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury after he struck another occupied vehicle and a few newspaper boxes around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday and left the scene, The Gainesville Sun reported Thursday.

Police found Cato a few minutes later at a Walmart, where he told officers he did not realize he had hit the other vehicle and he "pulled into the next stop. ... I had the runs, I had to go," he said.

Officers said Cato had a "strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath and clothing" and his eyes were "bloodshot and watery."

Cato declined to submit to a breathalyzer test.