An off-duty state trooper was charged with gross-misdemeanor drunken driving after he was arrested Saturday night by a South Lake Minnetonka police officer in Shorewood.

Brian Bammert, 30, was taken to the Hennepin County jail before being released on $3,000 bond. His next court appearance is next month.

Bammert was pulled over on Hwy. 7 at 11:38 p.m. Saturday after police received a report of hit-and-run property damage in St. Bonifacius, police said. Bammert's car had what appeared to be recent damage. He admitted he had been drinking, according to a news release. Tests to measure his blood-alcohol content are pending, the release said.

State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske said Bammert is working in a non-patrol assignment "for the time being."

Bammert's name was in the news most recently in April when it was reported that he or his squad car had been hit by motorists three times in less than two years.

PAT PHEIFER