UPDATE: Casper Police Arrest Man For Assaults, Interference
Casper Police arrested a man who led officers on a brief pursuit early Wednesday night ending at the drive-up lane at the Burger King on Poplar Street.
David Stephen Briones III, 49, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts interference with peace officer and one count of felony property destruction, Natrona Circuit Court Judge Michael Patchen said during initial hearings Thursday.
Patchen set his bond at $75,000 cash or surety.
If convicted on all counts, Briones faces up to 50 years imprisonment.
The court will conduct a preliminary hearing within a few weeks to determine whether he should be bound over to Natrona County District Court for trial.
The case began early Wednesday evening when the Natrona County Sheriff's Office received a call about a man -- soon identified as Briones -- driving erratically in the parking lot at the jail. The office had received two calls earlier that day for reports of "attempt to locate" and a "gas drive-off" in Mills.
Briones fled deputies who began a car chase but called it off for safety reasons. Meanwhile, a deputy in a marked vehicle passed Briones on Glenn Road. The deputy made eye contact with Briones, who then swerved at the deputy's vehicle.
Briones drove down the hill on English Drive and pulled into the drive-up lane of the Burger King at Poplar Street.
One deputy positioned his vehicle in front of Briones car and another deputy positioned his car behind Briones.
When one deputy activated his overhead lights, Briones accelerated, ramming that vehicle.
Officers from the Mills and Casper police departments and the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrived to assist.
Brionies needed to be forcibly extracted from the driver's seat of his car. He was taken into custody, and taken to the Wyoming Medical Center where he was cleared of having any significant injuries.
He was taken to the Casper Police Department for an interview. Briones waived his Miranda rights and said he was having delusions and often spoke to people not in the room.
Briones appeared to have reduced speech, reduced emotional response and reduced social interaction skills, according to the affidavit.
He said he smoked methamphetamine two days before the event, and was on various medications.
He also said he had a gift that allowed him to communicate with others without them being present, and was doing so when he drove to the gas station in Mills. Briones stole the gas, and advised the clerk he owned the police department and the clerk should send the fuel bill there.
Briones then said he drove to the jail to retrieve money there promised to him by former President Barack Obama.
He also said sheriff's deputies shot at him at the jail, and drove to the Burger King to get something to eat, but the deputies blocked his car with theirs.