Man faces child endangerment charge after DUI arrest

Maricopa police officers arrested an allegedly intoxicated driver last week and charged him with aggravated DUI because he had four kids in the car, according to police reports.

Thirty-nine-year-old Mark Grimes was arrested May 1 and charged with seven different crimes in all, after officers responded to Big 5 Sporting Goods on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway around 4:30 p.m. regarding an alleged violent threat he made against his fiancée.

After he fled the scene in a red Acura, MPD located Grimes at the stoplight at Casa-Grande Highway and John Wayne Parkway.

After initiating a stop and positively identifying Grimes, the report stated officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person and noticed he had “blood-shot and watery eyes and slurred speech.”

The arresting officer counted four children in the back seat and “none of them were wearing seatbelts,” according to the report.

Grimes also allegedly admitted to being in possession of marijuana, which was located and confirmed to be the illegal substance.

Officers conducted a standard field sobriety test, during which Grimes showed signs of impairment. Further testing indicated his Blood Alcohol Content to be above .15 percent.

In all, Grimes was charged with possession of marijuana, DUI, standard DUI (BAC of .08 or more), Extreme DUI (BAC of .15 or more), aggravated DUI (with person under age of 15 in vehicle), child endangerment and threatening or intimidating.

The combined charges carry a punishment of five to eight years in prison (more if charges compound punishments).

Grimes is being held  at the Pinal County Detention center in Florence.