WESTFORD — On Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at approximately 12:35 a.m., Officer Collin Breault of the Westford Police Department was monitoring traffic at 80- Boston Road when he observed a white Porsche Macan with Massachusetts plates heading southbound on Boston Road.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Collin Breault and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“As the vehicle passed me, I observed there to be white smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle, I then watched as it pulled into the Haffner’s Gas Station (179 Littleton Road),” Officer Breault said. “Upon pulling into Haffner’s to see if the operator needed assistance, I conducted a CJIS [Criminal Justice Information Services] inquiry of the vehicle’s rear registration plate…which came back to a black Ford Fusion, which was registered to a female party out of Vineyard Haven, MA.”
At this time, Officer Breault was joined on scene by Sergeant Justin Belinsky.
“I then made contact with the operator who stated that his vehicle was overheating due to a ‘coolant issue,’” Officer Breault said. “As the operator spoke, I observed him to have bloodshot, glossy eyes and to be slurring his words. While standing next to the operator, I detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. I then asked the operator if he had his license, which he stated he did. The operator produced a Maryland driver’s license which identified him as Andre Bienta.”
According to police, Andre Alves Bienta, 30, is a resident of Walpole, MA.
“I then asked Bienta if he has ever been issued a Massachusetts Driver’s License, to which he stated no,” Officer Breault said. “While Bienta spoke, I once again detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. Upon asking Bienta why he had different registration plates on the vehicle, he explained that the plates belonged on his mother’s car and that he was using the plates to get his car back to Lowell.”
Officer Breault then ran the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) through dispatch who confirmed it was not stolen.
“Upon conducting a CJIS inquiry of the vehicle’s VIN, I discovered the original registration plate to be 3SMV36, which expired on June 20, 2025, and has a non-renewal status,” Officer Breault said. “I then requested the vehicle’s registration through Bienta, which is when he stated that it was not registered. It was at this point that Bienta also stated the vehicle was not insured.”
Officer Breault conducted a CJIS inquiry on Bienta, running his first and last name along with his date of birth, which revealed that his Massachusetts driver’s license had been suspended on April 26, 2025, for failure to pay fines and costs.
“When asked where he was coming from, Bienta stated he had left Martha’s Vineyard at approximately 8:30 p.m. and was on his way to Lowell,” Officer Breault said. “Let it be known that Bienta was unable to say exactly where he was leaving from on Martha’s Vineyard or what he was doing there.”
Officer Breault asked Bienta whether he had recently consumed any alcohol, and Bienta replied that he had not.
“After trying to get more information from Bienta in regards to what he had done before leaving Martha’s Vineyard, all he stated was that he wanted to go home,” Officer Breault said. “I then asked Bienta one more time if he had consumed any alcohol within the past 12 hours, to which he replied that he had not had anything to drink, but did admit that he smoked ‘two pre-rolls’ of marijuana prior to leaving Martha’s Vineyard.”
Officer Breault stated that Bienta was unable to specify the exact time he had smoked marijuana or the amount contained in each pre-roll.
“Due to Bienta’s bloodshot and glossy eyes, slurred speech, and a scent of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person, I asked him to submit to Field Sobriety Tests, to which he agreed,” Officer Breault said.
At this time, Officer Joseph Pellegrino arrived on scene to assist.
“I then explained to Bienta that we were going to use the parking lot of 179 Littleton Road as a safe space to conduct Field Sobriety Tests,” Officer Breault said. “It should be noted that during the duration of the tests, all of the front-forward facing emergency lights were off. It should also be noted that at one point, Bienta asked if I spoke Spanish, to which I stated I did not.”
Officer Breault asked Bienta whether he understood English, and Bienta replied that he did.
“I then explained to Bienta that at any point during the tests, that if he does not understand my English to let me know and I will have a Spanish-speaking officer come translate,” Officer Breault said. “Bienta replied by stating that would not be necessary.”
The first field sobriety test Officer Breault asked Bienta to perform was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test. According to findlaw.com, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test is a field sobriety test where an officer has an individual follow an object (such as a pen tip or pen light) with his/her eyes. The HGN test checks for the involuntary jerking of one’s eyes as they gaze side to side. This involuntary jerkiness is said to increase while under the influence of alcohol.
“When asked, Bienta stated he does not wear glasses or contacts, has no problems with his eyes, does not have any medical conditions, and has not diagnosed with any kind of Nystagmus,” Officer Breault said “Bienta stood with his feet together and arms by his side. I instructed him on the test and he stated he understood. I held the stimulus approximately 12-15 inches from his eyes. I checked for equal pupil size and resting nystagmus. I did not observe unequal pupil size and did not observe resting nystagmus. I then began checking both eyes for equal tracking. Both of his eyes tracked the stimulus together. I checked both eyes for lack of smooth pursuit and observed HGN in both eyes. I checked both eyes for Nystagmus at maximum deviation. I observed the involuntary shuttering in both eyes. I then checked for Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees and did not observe Nystagmus in either eye.”
The next test Officer Breault asked Bienta to perform was the nine step walk and turn test. This test requires the subject to count out loud as they take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line (like a visible line on a road), then turn on one foot and return in the opposite direction.
“Bienta was wearing flip flops at this time. I asked Bienta if he was comfortable wearing the flip flops during the test, and he stated he was not. I then instructed Bienta to remove his flip flops, to which he did. I then asked Bienta if he had any underlying injuries with his legs or feet or if he would have any trouble walking a line, Andrew stated no,” Officer Breault said. “The portion of the parking lot in which the tests were conducted was flat and free of debris. The area was also well lit due to the white lights coming from the gas station. I then told Bienta that we will be using a white line that was painted on the pavement for a parking spot as a guideline, Bienta stated he understood.”
Bienta was then instructed to place his left foot on the white line and position his right foot directly in front of it, heel to toe.
“Bienta got into position with his hands by his side and was instructed not to move until I instruct him to begin the test, to which he stated he understood,” Officer Breault said. “While explaining the test, Bienta stepped off line, appearing to lose his balance. I then instructed Bienta to get back into position, which he did.”
Officer Breault demonstrated the nine-step walk-and-turn test to Bienta, who said he understood the instructions and had no questions.
“I then once again asked Bienta if he understood my English, to which he stated that he understood and had no questions on the wording,” Officer Breault said. “Bienta began the test and walked a total of 19 steps before completing an improper turn. During those first 14 steps, he stepped off line on the third and fourth step. After completing an improper turn Bienta continued to take 21 steps back. During the steps back. Bienta stepped off line on the seventh and the eighth step.”
The next test Officer Breault asked Bienta to perform was the one-leg stand. This test involves lifting one leg about six inches off the ground, then holding the foot in a position parallel to the ground, while keeping one’s arms at their sides.
“I asked Bienta to stand with his feet together and arms by his side,” Officer Breault said. “Bienta was advised not to begin the test until I instructed him to do so, to which he stated he understood. Bienta was advised to use either foot and hold it out in front of him, approximately six inches off the ground. Bienta was instructed to count out loud (one one thousand, two one thousand) until told to stop. Bienta was also instructed to look down at his feet while counting out loud, with his arms by his side. Bienta stated he understood the directions and had no questions. At this point, I once again asked Bienta if he understood my English, which he replied he did.”
Bienta was told he could begin the test, and Officer Breault started the stopwatch.
“Bienta then held out his foot approximately four inches off the ground and began staring at it without saying anything,” Officer Breault said. “After approximately three seconds, I reminded Bienta to count out loud. Bienta then began counting extremely slowly. Throughout the test, Bienta swayed the entire time, and at one point used his arms to keep his balance. After the 30 seconds was up, Bienta had made it to 14, skipping numbers six, seven and eight. At this time, I formed the opinion that Bienta was under the influence of an intoxicating liquor and Bienta was advised he was being placed under arrest for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol.”
Bienta was then handcuffed, and before he was placed in a cruiser, Officer Breault emptied his pockets, which is when he found an empty plastic bag with one of the ends ripped off.
“Due to my training and experience, I know this packaging to be consistent with drug use,” Officer Breault said. “The plastic bag was seized and logged into evidence…and placed in temporary evidence locker #6.”
Bienta was then placed in the backseat of a police cruiser.
“Officer Pellegrino then stated he would stand by with the vehicle for the tow company to arrive,” Officer Breault said. Later adding, “The registration plate was also seized from the vehicle and logged into evidence…and placed in temporary evidence locker #7.”
While Officer Pellegrino inventoried the vehicle Bienta was driving, he located a dollar bill with a white powdery substance on it, believed to be cocaine.
“The dollar bill was seized from the vehicle and logged into evidence…and placed in temporary evidence locker #6,” Officer Breault said. “Officer Pellegrino also seized a broken glass, cylindrical pipe from the front passenger door pocket, which is consistent with drug use.” The glass pipe was also seized as evidence and placed into a temporary evidence locker at the police station.
“Bienta was then transported to the Westford Police Department where he was afforded all applicable rights by Sergeant [Christopher] Musick,” Officer Breault said. “While taking Bienta out of the rear passenger compartment of my cruiser, I detected an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the passenger compartment that was not there prior to transport. Bienta was advised of his statuary rights and was offered the option to take the breath test. Bienta refused the breath test and was advised of his notice of [license] suspension, a copy was placed with his property.”
Bienta was charged with the following violations/offenses:
- OUI-Liquor or 0.08%
- Possess Class B Drug (Cocaine)
- Number Plate Violation to Conceal ID/Attaching
- Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- Uninsured Motor Vehicle
- Operating Motor Vehicle with License Suspended
“Bienta was released from custody on personal recognizance by Bail Commissioner Charlene McCormack at 4:00 a.m.,” Officer Breault said.
Bienta was arraigned in Ayer District Court on Aug. 4, 2025. Following his arraignment, Bienta was released on personal recognizance, assigned a public defender, and scheduled to return to court on October 7, 2025.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in August, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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