BROOKINGS – A Brookings man was arrested Saturday after allegedly exhibiting strange behavior, trying to fight people, and fleeing officers, according to Brookings Police.
Matthew Bergum, 25, of Brookings, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and obstructing law enforcement, Lt. Marci Gebers said.
“Officers were dispatched to several locations for an intoxicated male that was causing public alarm, impeding traffic, and attempting to fight people,” Gebers said.
The first call came at 3:56 p.m. for a man who was throwing up and stumbling in and out of residents’ yards in the area of 12th Avenue and Fourth Street, Gebers said.
“The officer attempted to talk to the male, who immediately took off running,” Gebers said.
Approximately a half-hour later, officers were called to the 900 block of Second Street South for a man who matched the description of the man in the previous call, she said.
“(He) was attempting to enter parked vehicles,” Gebers said.
Officers were unable to locate the man at that location, but another report came in at 5:41 p.m. for a man of the same description in the 600 block of Eighth Street South, “who was reported to be walking in the roadway impeding traffic,” Gebers said.
“Around that same time, they received a 911 call in regard to the same male who was attempting to fight some people in a parking lot in the 700 block of Seventh Avenue South,” Gebers said.
“Officers … located the male individual and when the officer attempted to stop him, he took off running and fled from the officers through yards and jumped over a fence,” Gebers said.
“Officers were able to get him to stop running; however, he did not comply with commands and was subsequently Tased,” Gebers said.
Bergum was taken into custody and transported to the Brookings County Detention Center.
“Alcohol was a factor,” Gebers said.
