Police say DUI suspect threatened them with grenade launchers

A 47-year-old Glendale man was arrested Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence after he threatened to use grenade launchers on officers and later chewed through wires on medical equipment, police said.

Police stopped the man, Jeffrey Yeager, about 6:27 p.m. when a motorist reported he was following her after she allegedly cut in front of his Toyota Tacoma, according to Glendale police. Witnesses said Yeager reportedly became angry at another driver, exited his car, hit the driver’s window and spat on it.

As officers talked to Yeager, they said they noticed he smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and he was swaying.

At some point, Yeager threatened to use grenade launchers against officers, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Police arrested him on suspicion of drunk driving and took him to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where he was reportedly restrained due to his erratic behavior. While at the hospital, police said Yeager chewed through wires running to an electro-cardiogram machine and blood pressure/pulse reader.

He was also booked on suspicion of vandalism, police said.

Fearing Yeager posed a threat to officers and the community, Lorenz said police obtained a warrant and searched his home, where they did not find grenade launchers.

--Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.