Sioux County, Iowa — Law enforcement officers in Sioux County were busy over the weekend, making three separate arrests for Felony OWI (Operating While Impaired).
It all began Friday, when court records indicate Sioux Center Police pulled over a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Gene VanderVliet of Rock Valley. VanderVliet was arrested for third offense OWI, which is a Class D Felony.
Shortly after midnight Saturday morning, Sioux County authorities received a report of erratic driving that had occurred at the intersection of 390th Street and Hickory Avenue, one mile east of Sioux Center. According to authorities, their investigation discovered that 51-year-old Stephen Van Grouw, of Orange City, had been driving eastbound on 390th Street, entered a ditch and came to rest on private property. Deputies say they suspected Van Grouw was under the influence of a drug at the time, and placed him under arrest for third offense OWI, a Class D Felony.
Also on Saturday, Sioux Center Police made a traffic stop on a vehicle driving at, according to court records, “an abnormally slow speed.” After the officer activated his cruiser’s emergency lights, the vehicle is said to have hit the curb before pulling over. Officers arrested 31-year-old Gabriel Mendez-Martin of Hull for third offense OWI, a Class D Felony.
Left to right: Gene VanderVliet, Stephen Van Grouw, Gabriel Mendez-Martin
Booking Photos courtesy of the Sioux County Jail
