PORTLAND — Portland Pirates managing owner and CEO Brian Petrovek was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with operating under the influence near the Cumberland County Civic Center after his vehicle was spotted stuck on the median.

According to police, Petrovek, 57, was charged with OUI after the jeep he was driving was found lodged on a median at the corner of Spring and Center streets near the Pirates’ home arena, the Cumberland County Civic Center around 1 a.m.

He was given a field sobriety test and taken to Cumberland County Jail where he was later released on $500 bail.

The Pirates issued a statement on their Facebook page this afternoon stating:

“The Portland Pirates want you to know that Brian regrets his lack of discipline and poor judgment which led to his arrest for OUI early Wednesday morning. Brian would like the community to know that he made a mistake and hopes that the people reading and watching these news reports learn from his experience and make better choices. He accepts that he made a poor decision and hopes that everyone refrains from drinking and driving during this holiday season.”

This is not the first time the Pirates have been forced to deal with such an incident.

Former Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen, who is now currently head coach of the Florida Panthers, was pulled over by South Portland Police in June 2006 following an end-of-season party after the team was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Hershey Bears.

He was arrested for OUI, later pleading guilty to a charge of driving to endanger and was sentenced to two days in jail and $750 fine.

Petrovek is a minority owner in the franchise that predominantly owned by Boston lawyer Lyman Bullard and Maine Hockey Group owner Ron Cain.

Bullard and Petrovek purchased the team from David Fisher in 2000, and Cain became a significant minority owner of the franchise in 2010.

Petrovek handles much of the business aspect of running the franchise, while the Phoenix Coyotes, who are in their second year as the NHL affiliate, supply the hockey operation, which includes players, coaches and support staff such as medical trainers and equipment managers.

Request for comment from the American Hockey League went unanswered.