Police chief arrested on DUI charge

Police Chief Tom Berry

The Idaho State Police have reported that Mountain Home Chief of Police Tom Berry was arrested early Tuesday morning for driving under the influence.

According to Rick Ohnsman, Public Information Officer for the ISP, Berry, 53, was stopped by Trooper Mark Donahue at 1:21 a.m. Tuesday morning after being observed "driving erratically" down American Legion Boulevard near the intersection of North 7th East Street.

Trooper Donahue performed a field sobriety test after which ISP Sergeant Gordon S. Dye and an Elmore County Sheriff's Deputy were called in to assist. Berry was arrested and taken to the Elmore County Jail. His vehicle was subsequently towed.

Ohnsman said Berry remained cooperative and consented to a breathalyzer test. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was recorded at 0.17 on the first test and 0.18 on the second. The legal limit for BAC in Idaho is 0.08. He was cited for DUI and released to his residence at 2:48 a.m.

Mayor Joe B. McNeal has placed Berry on paid administrative leave pending the results of ISP's investigation.