On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 9:43pm, the Marshalltown Police Department responded to the Unity Point Hospital located at 55 Unity Point Way after receiving a report about an intoxicated man causing a disturbance and assaulting someone in the emergency department. Upon arrival, a Marshalltown police officer attempted to arrest an adult male subject. The male resisted arrest, assaulted the police officer and attempted to disarm the officer of his electronic control device. The male subject subsequently ran out of the hospital and left the scene in a motor vehicle. Law enforcement pursued this subject. The subject was ultimately stopped on Highway T38 N and 107th Avenue E in Jasper County after a high-speed pursuit that covered miles through Marshall County and into Jasper County and at one point exceeded 100 miles per hour.
Eric David Bru, age 50, of Gilman, was arrested on November 1 at 10:15pm. He was taken to the Marshall County Jail and is being held pending an initial court appearance. Mr. Bru has been charged with:
- OWI 1st Offense
- Eluding
- Attempting to Disarm a Peace Officer
- Assault on a Peace Officer
- Inference with Official Acts
- Failure to Yield
- Speeding (2 counts)
- Driving on the Wrong Side of a Roadway
Chief Michael Tupper stated, “I am relieved nobody was hurt during this incident. The reckless actions of this criminal defendant endangered the lives of multiple law enforcement officers and the general public. Through the courage and professionalism of the responding law enforcement professionals, Mr. Bru was captured and will have his opportunity in court to face these serious charges. I am thankful for the officers and 911 operators involved in this incident. They work tirelessly each day to keep our community safe and they did an excellent job resolving this dangerous situation.”
The Marshalltown Police Department was assisted with this investigation by the Marshall County 911 Communications Center and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)
For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641.754.5771 or via email at mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.