Breeya Lynn Moritz; photo courtesy of Dallas County Jail

An Oelwein teenager was arrested early Monday morning in Perry after attempting to flee from officers, which resulted in the use of a taser to subdue the suspect.

Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn says at 1:45 a.m., officers on patrol saw a male and female hanging out in the alley behind Wells Fargo Bank. The officers knew the male to be a juvenile, so they stopped and made contact. After talking with the 17-year-old and determining he was out after curfew, the officers then attempted to identify the female. As they were doing so she fled, though she was quickly chased down by the Casey’s on 1st Street. The suspect resisted arrest and during the struggle on the pavement, one of the officers used a taser to subdue her. She was identified as 18-year-old Breeya Lynn Moritz of Oelwein.

Moritz was arrested and charged with serious misdemeanors for possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and interference with official acts causing bodily injury. She was also charged with simple misdemeanors for public intoxication – first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to Dallas County Hospital, which Vaughn says is a standard precaution when a taser is used, and they also wanted to check her health given the state in which they found her. She was then taken to Dallas County Jail. The male juvenile was issued a citation for curfew violation and released to his parents.

Vaughn says the officer used a “drive stun” technique on Moritz, where the cartridge is removed from the taser, which is then pushed into the subject. The effect is similar to a stun gun and is typically used in close-quarters altercations. The arresting officer suffered scrapes and bruises during the incident, but was not seriously injured. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.