Steamboat police arrest man for alleged sexual contact and assault at local bar
Steamboat Springs police arrested a man for alleged unlawful sexual contact and third-degree assault following an incident at Sunpie’s Bistro on Sunday.
Ivan Puentes-Lopez, 37, was arrested at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday after a Steamboat police officer saw him swerving on Lincoln Avenue, according to the affidavit for arrest.
The arresting officer noted that Puentes-Lopez allegedly “had a pipe filled with burnt marijuana” in his jacket pocket when he was pulled over, states the affidavit.
Puentes-Lopez also rolled up the window and began to play “F**** Tha Police” by the hip-hop group N.W.A. in his car while the police officer was speaking to him, the affidavit adds.
After he was arrested, Steamboat police discovered that he had been called in as the subject of a Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately report, or REDDI report, which was recorded about two minutes before the traffic stop.
Puentes-Lopez was at Sunpie’s Bistro earlier that night when he allegedly “placed his hand” on a person’s back and “began moving it towards (their) stomach,” then “reached down and began touching (them) over (their) pants,” states the affidavit.
After a friend of the victim confronted Puentes-Lopez about the inappropriate touching, Puentes-Lopez allegedly punched the friend, giving him a bloody lip and a shoulder injury.
Puentes-Lopes then “fled the area,” which is when the man who was punched made the REDDI report, according to the affidavit.
Following his arrest, Puentes-Lopez was charged with driving under the influence, failing to present insurance, obstructing government operations, weaving, unlawful sexual contact and third-degree assault.
Puentes-Lopez was released from Routt County Jail Monday after paying a $150 bond. His next court date is scheduled for July 1.

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