POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue captain is under an “open and active internal affairs investigation” following a DUI arrest earlier this month, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Capt. Brian Vengoechea on Dec. 7 after a traffic stop in the 1800 block of North Federal Highway in Pompano Beach.
According to the arrest report, a deputy observed Vengoechea, 41, of Deerfield Beach, driving erratically just after 10 p.m. in a Ford F-350 near Northeast 10th Street, at one point crossing over a right lane divider.
After stopping the vehicle, deputies reported detecting a “strong odor” of alcohol.
The report states that Vengoechea had difficulty completing his sentences and told the deputy he was “having problems with his wife and was just trying to get home.”
Authorities said Vengoechea provided a BSO identification number and later disclosed that he works for the agency.
Deputies noted that he refused to submit to field sobriety exercises and a breathalyzer test.
Vengoechea was arrested on charges and citations including first-offense DUI, refusal to submit to DUI testing, failure to use due care, and disobeying or avoiding a traffic control device.
A BSO spokesperson said Vengoechea has been placed on restrictive administrative assignment while the internal investigation remains ongoing.
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