Essex Police say drunk man arrested after leaving liquor store

Courtesy of Vanderburgh County Jail

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – An Evansville man is behind bars after police say he left a liquor store already intoxicated and also struck a patrol car.

According to an affidavit, on Saturday at 1:17 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 110 block of N. Cross Pointe Boulevard. for a man, identified as Steven Espinoza, who was reportedly very intoxicated and leaving a liquor store.

The officers were able to catch up with Espinoza after he passed them. Officers were told he was driving a white Jeep toward Virginia Street.

Police say they followed the Jeep before it turned into Brooklyn Place Apartments and conducted a traffic stop.

Police also said Espinoza pulled into a parking spot until he hit the front curb, then accelerated forward until the Jeep jumped the curb before reversing toward a patrol vehicle.

EPD says officers used emergency lights, verbal commands and honked horns to try to get him to stop.

Espinoza then allegedly started his vehicle and attempted to flee.

Espinoza eventually stopped and was taken into custody, but resisted.

He also allegedly refused any sobriety test, but agreed to submit to a chemical test.

He faces charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement.