Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 17, 1990                   TAG: 9007170153
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

THE CHARGE WAS DUI, DUDE

Leon M. Blake of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., an unemployed operating engineer who works for HIT Entertainment as a part-time turtle, was arrested at 2:36 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 29, police said. County Police Sgt. Sharn Perry said Blake, 31, had pulled over to relieve himself when an officer saw him and stopped.

Authorities said Blake jumped into his van and drove off but was stopped about 100 yards away. Police found the costume for Michaelangelo, the "surfer dude" turtle, in the back seat of his vehicle.

He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license in his possession.

Blake's arrest report listed his occupation as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle," and "Michaelangelo" was given under nicknames and aliases, Perry said.

"Well I guess it just goes to show that at 2:36 in the morning, Ninja turtles should be home in bed," Perry said.

HIT Entertainment of Millersville, Pa., the company that manages the turtles, said Blake was scheduled to assist another actor who was playing Michaelangelo before hundreds of fans Saturday afternoon at a mall. The Ninja turtle went on with the show without Blake.

"There was never any problem with the show," said R.W. Jackson, general manager of HIT Entertainment. He declined to say how long Blake had been working for the company.

At a Monday bond hearing in Albemarle General District Court, Blake was released on a $500 bond. He was ordered to find an attorney and return to court Aug. 3.