Russian figure skater Lutai Andrei charged with DWI, stealing car in Lake Placid, NY

Russian skater gets stolen car, DWI charge in NY

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Police say Russian figure skater Andrei Lutai (AHN’-drey loo-TEYE’) stole a car and drove it while drunk after finishing 10th overall in the Skate America competition in Lake Placid.

Police say the car was stolen from a service station lot late Sunday night. A garage employee followed the car and called police. Sgt. Carol Hayes says officers pulled over the 23-year-old Lutai, of St. Petersburg, a few minutes later.

Police have charged Lutai with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

He is being held in the Essex County Jail on $100,000 cash bail. Brian Barrett, Lutai’s lawyer, says he has “serious doubts” about the DWI and theft charges, but he wouldn’t go into specifics.