Westborough Police Chief Found With Vodka in Parked Cruiser

Officers found Minardi asleep in his vehicle near 507 Boston Turnpike shortly before 12:30 p.m. on October 23. He was off duty and in plain clothes, with an opened bottle of Tito’s vodka in a black plastic bag. Police also found an empty vodka bottle inside the car.

A nearby worker called police after seeing the vehicle in the same place the previous day. Body-camera footage shows officers asking Minardi to put his hands on the steering wheel. He appeared slow to respond and repeatedly said he was fine, while officers warned him not to make sudden movements. One officer called for a supervisor and focused on Minardi’s department-issued firearm.

Westborough police Lt. Kevin Caviston arrived, and Minardi apologized to him. Paramedics came to the scene; Minardi initially declined treatment but later agreed to go to a hospital. A first responder told police that Minardi’s wife called during the response and reported she had not seen him for two days.

Authorities cited Minardi because an alcoholic beverage was open inside his car. Police explained that an impaired-driving charge was unavailable since the vehicle’s engine was off upon their arrival. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing Minardi making a purchase on October 22, after which the vehicle remained in the same spot until police arrived the following afternoon.

On October 24, Westborough town officials announced that Minardi was put on leave from his administrative duties and said they would hire an outside investigator to examine the incident.