He was drunk and stumbling on a busy Cobb County road, according to police. So an officer gave James Dowling a ride home, his arrest warrant states.

But police said the Kennesaw man refused to stay home and wandered into the road again Friday night.

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“Said accused refused to follow that lawful order and continued to walk in and around Chastain Road in an intoxicated state for no legal or legitimate reason, violating the ‘shelter in place’ executive order,” the warrant states.

Dowling, who fell over several times while seated on a curb, was a hazard to both himself and drivers, police said. The 59-year-old was arrested and charged with being a pedestrian under the influence, littering and violating Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order, jail records show.

Dowling spent about 11 hours in the Cobb jail before being released on his own recognizance.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez