North Liberty man accused of running away from police twice and fighting with officers after OWI stop

Lang
1/17/21

Allegedly running away from police twice and fighting with officers after a traffic stop has led to a North Liberty man’s arrest.

North Liberty Police say a staff member at Red’s Alehouse on North Dubuque Street altered them just after 12:15 Sunday morning that an intoxicated customer had gotten into his car and driven away. An arriving officer initiated a traffic stop on the 2009 Chevy Silverado in question after observing it driving over a curb. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Matthew Benge of Rachael Street, allegedly got out of his vehicle and tried running away before being captured by police. Investigators say Benge admitted to coming from a bar and showed signs of intoxication. He allegedly showed impairment on field sobriety tests and refused breath testing.

After the sobriety testing, Benge allegedly tried running away again. Police say he refused to put his hands behind his back, and had to be forced into handcuffs by multiple officers.

Benge is charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Interference With Official Acts, and a traffic violation.