Storm Lake police arrested a local man last week after a brief pursuit that began on Lake Avenue and ended with a physical struggle in a residential neighborhood.
According to the department, the incident started around 8:50 p.m. last Monday, Aug. 24, when an officer attempted to stop a 2007 Mercedes Benz in the 1000 block of Lake Avenue. Police say the driver — 45‑year‑old Fernando Morales Valentin of Storm Lake — failed to pull over and instead drove through a red light at Lake Avenue and 10th Street. Officers pursued the vehicle for several blocks as Morales Valentin allegedly committed multiple traffic violations before stopping at a home in the 400 block of Terrence Street.
Police report that when officers attempted to take him into custody, Morales Valentin physically resisted and had to be subdued. Officers say he showed signs of alcohol intoxication.
After the arrest, police were advised that Morales Valentin had allegedly threatened to kill a family member the previous day.
In total, Morales Valentin faces nine charges:
- First degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor
- Eluding, a serious misdemeanor
- First-offense operating while intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor
- Interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor
- Failure to obey a traffic control device, a simple misdemeanor
- Two counts of improper use of lanes, a scheduled violation
- Three counts of driving in an improper lane, a scheduled violation
He was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond.
