During the days leading up to and on Independence Day, the Arkansas City Police Department responded to 24 fireworks-related calls.
According to a news release from the ACPD Thursday morning, no citations were issued by the department concerning fireworks calls. However, officers were busy with other calls for service.
On Monday, at 10:08 p.m., Ark City police officers were dispatched to the area of 3rd Street and Kansas Avenue for a vehicle accident.
It was reported that a white truck had struck another vehicle and then left the scene. It was initially reported that the driver was possibly impaired.
While on the way to the accident, officers located a vehicle matching the suspect description. Officers attempted a traffic stop after confirming driving behaviors that led the officer to believe that the driver was impaired.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the truck, but the driver refused to yield, and a vehicle pursuit occurred. The suspect vehicle eventually stopped at the 7th Street and Birch Avenue intersection.
The driver was identified as Daniela Lousia Avalos, 19, of Caldwell.
Avalos was suspected of being under the influence and submitted to DUI testing. She was arrested and taken to the Cowley County Jail on a $8,300 bond for failing to report an accident, DUI (first), consumption of alcohol by a minor, fleeing and eluding, and interference with a law enforcement officer.
On July 4, at 11:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to Casey’s General Store at 601 S. Summit St. in Ark City for a physical disturbance.
While enroute to the call, it was learned that several of the subjects involved left the scene in a vehicle. Officers were also advised that one of the subjects was armed with a handgun.
A Cowley County Sheriff’s Office deputy located the vehicle in the 200 block of W. Harrison Avenue.
A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Jesse Cortez Manuel Tovar, 22, of Ark City, was found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun.
During the investigation, officers learned that during the altercation, Tovar had allegedly pointed the handgun at several people before leaving the scene.
After speaking to witnesses and watching surveillance video, Tovar was arrested for three counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm while under the influence. Tovar was taken to the Cowley County Jail and held on a $62,500 bond.
