Casper Man Flees Police, Claims He’s A Federal Agent

A man was arrested at a Casper Hotel after allegedly running from police Sunday.

David Stephen Briones, 51, is facing recommended charges of eluding law enforcement, breach of peace, possession of methamphetamine, driving under suspension, improper registration and driving with no insurance.

According to an arrest affidavit, police were called to Fremont Motors in Casper after a man, later identified as Briones, showed up and was demanding to pick up a car. Briones approached two Fremont Motors employees and was "screaming nonsense" and "cussing" at them while claiming to "own the police department."

The employees locked themselves in a vehicle after Briones appeared to make threats.

A Casper police officer arrived and found Briones sitting inside his Dodge Avenger. Briones immediately grew belligerent and screamed at the officer to "run my name."

When the officer ran Briones' name, a dispatcher said Briones had a suspended Wyoming driver's license. The officer also observed that Briones' license plates were expired by nearly two years.

Despite the store being closed, Briones gestured toward a parked Dodge Charger Hellcat and said he was there to pick up his vehicle.

The officer told Briones to wait while he spoke with a Fremont Motors employee. Instead, Briones abruptly drove off.

A pursuit ensued.

At one point, Briones took police through a Loaf N. Jug parking lot where officers successfully deployed spike strips and deflated Briones' rear passenger tire.

Police terminated the pursuit on East Yellowstone Highway due to safety concerns.

Not long after, officers received word from employees at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper that Briones was in the lobby demanding a room while claiming to be a police officer.

He also told the Ramkota manager that he was a federal agent and to call the president.

Officers arrived and arrested Briones inside the lobby. When police searched Briones, they found methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket.

His vehicle was inventoried and towed.

Briones was expected to appear in Natrona County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon.