Police arrest armed felon who passed out at McDonald's drive-through

Gregory Justin Cape

By Joe Johnson

An armed convicted felon reportedly was arrested last week when he was found passed out at the drive-through window of an Athens fast food restaurant.

According to an Athens-Clarke County police report, officers responded to McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 29 North at about 2:40 a.m. Jan. 18 on a report of a male asleep at the wheel of a Toyota SUV in the middle of the drive-through lane, blocking traffic.

Upon arrival, officers found 35-year-old Gregory Justin Cape of Hull sleeping in the SUV’s driver’s seat, with a loaded rifle and an open container of alcohol next to him in the passenger seat, according to the report.

Officers surrounded the Toyota and roused Cape by banging on the SUV’s window, at which time he was removed from the vehicle and administered a sobriety test, according to the police report, which noted a computer check revealed that Cape was a convicted felon who had multiple prior arrests for drug offenses, according to the police report.

In addition to the rifle, the report notes that a pistol was found during a search of Cape’s SUV.

Cape was arrested for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, DUI, and no proof of insurance.

During a search at the county jail, cocaine was found in Cape’s wallet, at which time he was additionally charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the report.

Cape was released the following day upon posting bonds totalling $15,600.