A Benton man was arrested Sunday, June 7, after officers responding to a disturbance call at a Minden restaurant allegedly found him intoxicated and in possession of an open container of alcohol inside his vehicle.
According to a Minden Police Department report, officers were dispatched to El Jimador Mexican Grill in the 100 block of Homer Road in reference to a disturbance.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with Hebert Jergens, 43, of Benton, who was walking around the parking lot near his running truck.
Police reported observing several signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, poor balance, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Jergens’ breath and person.
During the investigation, officers learned Jergens had driven the vehicle into the parking lot shortly before their arrival. Police said Jergens admitted he had been drinking and told officers he had come to the restaurant to look for his wife’s keys, which he believed had been lost in the parking lot.
Officers attempted to administer standardized field sobriety tests, but Jergens reportedly refused to participate.
According to the report, Jergens consented to a search of his vehicle. During that search, officers located an open bottle of Crown Royal whisky that was approximately half empty.
Based on their observations and Jergens’ admission that he had been drinking, officers arrested him on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired.
Police records indicated Jergens was convicted of first-offense operating while intoxicated in 2022 and was arrested on a second-offense OWI charge in Bossier Parish in July 2025.
Jergens was transported to the Minden Police Department and booked on one count of third-offense operating while intoxicated and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.