Imperial man arrested after DUI stop, struggle with deputies

IMPERIAL, Neb. — An Imperial man was arrested late Friday night following a traffic stop that led to multiple charges, including driving under the influence and assault on a peace officer, according to the Chase County Sheriff’s Office.

A Chase County sheriff’s deputy stopped a black 2015 Chevrolet Silverado around 10 p.m. Jan. 9 at West 12th Street and Douglas Street in Imperial for careless driving. The driver was identified as Marcos A. Perez, 26, of Imperial.

According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol and observed signs of intoxication during the initial contact. Perez was asked to exit the vehicle and was detained on suspicion of driving under the influence. A second deputy arrived to assist.

Authorities said Perez became combative and resisted deputies during the detention. An electronic control weapon, commonly known as a Taser, was deployed to gain compliance. Perez was then handcuffed and taken into custody. While being placed into a patrol vehicle, he allegedly elbowed a deputy in the upper chest, causing pain.

A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered two open containers of alcohol, three THC concentrate vape cartridges and a vape device.

Perez was transported to the Chase County Jail, where officials said he continued to be combative and verbally abusive toward deputies and jail staff. He was placed in a restraint chair due to his behavior and later fitted with a spit hood after attempting to spit at deputies.

Perez was booked into the Chase County Jail on charges including second-offense DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, resisting arrest, assault on a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance, open container and careless driving.

All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are subject to change.