WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- Police say a Pennsylvania man dropped to the ground and rolled around in dog waste to avoid being arrested for public drunkenness, but he was taken into custody anyway.

Police in Wilkes-Barre tell the Times Leader officers came upon 45-year-old Maurice Franklin early Monday night after he jumped into traffic. They believed he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

They say he slurred his words and at first claimed he was walking erratically to avoid stepping in the dog feces on the sidewalk.

But when officers tried to arrest him, police say he lay down in the waste and told authorities they couldn't arrest him because he was covered in feces.

Franklin couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Court records don't list a lawyer for him.