Pink Panther arrested for DUI

POST FALLS - Even the Pink Panther couldn't slip past Post Falls police early Sunday.

A police officer pulled over Travis M. Cornwell, 23, at 2:15 a.m., and reported that the Post Falls man was driving erratically.

"Immediately upon contacting Travis, I observed he was wearing a pink and white 'Pink Panther' onesie costume, complete with a tail," the officer wrote in his report.

The report does not state why Cornwell was dressed as the Pink Panther, the iconic cartoon character created for the "Pink Panther" film series featuring Inspector Jacques Clouseau, a bumbling French detective.

Cornwell admitted to the police officer that he had been drinking at a Post Falls bar.

He agreed to perform a field sobriety test after he was pulled over - in costume and all.

And this Pink Panther even broke his silence.

"He apologized for wearing the suit," Post Falls police Capt. Greg McLean said.

McLean said it's not unusual for people to be pulled over in costumes around Halloween. However, finding the Pink Panther behind the wheel of a vehicle that was allegedly all over the road in April was a surprise.

Cornwell reportedly failed to use his signal while turning in a 1991 GMC Jimmy at the intersection of Seltice Way and Bay Street. He also blew through a stop sign after the officer activated his overhead lights. Cornwell drove in the oncoming lane before finally pulling over on Bay, the police report states.

Based on the officer's investigation, Cornwell, AKA the Pink Panther, was arrested for DUI and transported to the Kootenai County jail without incident. He posted a $1,000 bond later Sunday and was released.