Iowa City man accused of drunken driving, making gun threat

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man faces numerous charges for allegedly pointing a gun at another man while driving drunk.

The incident began just before 7 p.m. Monday in the parking lot at 1705 S. First Ave. when 33-year-old Bertran E. Perez got into an argument with another man. Iowa City police said Perez yelled at the man about his driving habits. When the other man responded, Perez allegedly pulled up along side him and pulled a handgun on him, police said.

Police said Perez fled the scene. A short time later, Perez was involved in a crash in the 2400 block of Miami Drive in Iowa City. Officers located Perez as he was walking away from the scene of the crash. He had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and appeared to be intoxicated, police said.

Perez admitted to driving, crashing his car and leaving the scene, police said. He refused a breathalyzer test.

Police said the man who was threatened by Perez identified him as the man who pointed the gun at him. Perez, who has a permit to carry weapons, was arrested and faces charges of drunken driving, assault while displaying a weapon, carrying weapons and first-degree harassment. Gun permit holders are not allowed to possess weapons while intoxicated.