Police: Iowa City soccer coach stopped for DUI reaches for handgun

IOWA CITY - Police say the girls soccer head coach at Iowa City High School attempted to pull a handgun out of his pocket when he was pulled over for drunken driving.

Iowa City police stopped a vehicle being driven by 31-year-old Edgar Arceo, of Iowa City, at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, after a caller indicated that he was driving intoxicated, according to a police complaint.

Police stopped Arceo's car after he failed to come to a stop at the intersection of Wayne Street and First Avenue and noticed he was visibly intoxicated, according to police.

Police say Arceo ignored officer commands to get out of the car and began to reach into his pocket, where he indicated he was carrying a loaded pistol.

The officer had to grab Arceo's wrist in order to take away the handgun - which was loaded with a round in the chamber, according to police.

The handgun was seized as evidence and Arceo was transported to the Johnson County Jail, police say.

City High Principal John Bacon confirmed Thursday that the Arceo arrested Wednesday night is the school's girls soccer head coach.

'I'm in the process of still trying to gather all the information about this,” Bacon said. 'If it is a situation where an employee of ours is in this situation, it will be a personnel matter and we will conduct a thorough investigation.”

Chace Ramey, chief communications and human resources officer with the Iowa City Community School District, said personnel issues in the district are conducted individually and confidentially.

'The district has been made aware of the situation, as with any personal issue or concern, this will be approached in a confidential manner,” he said.

Arceo is listed on City High's website as the school's student advisory center director.

Arceo has been charged with an aggravated misdemeanor charge for carrying weapons, a serious misdemeanor for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. He was released early Thursday from jail.

A phone number listed for Arceo on a City High girls soccer website was disconnected.