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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; Placed in a holding cell at city police headquarters on a warrant and allegations of drunken driving, Fernando Cupeles Bracero intentionally flooded a toilet with his socks and tossed toilet water contaminating the cell, according to court records.
				Bracero, 27, of Hazle Street, Wilkes-Barre, was arrested during a traffic stop in the area of East South and South Empire streets at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
				An officer turned onto North Empire Street from Coal Street and encountered Bracero, operating a BMW, pulling out from a parking spot, court records say.
				Bracero allowed the officer to pass and began traveling behind the cruiser.
				Police in court records say Bracero turned off the headlights on his vehicle leaving only fog lights turned on.
				The officer pulled to the side and after Bracero passed him, the officer verified through a check of the vehicle&rsquo;s license plate Bracero had a suspended driver&rsquo;s license, court records say.
				When Bracero stopped several blocks away, the officer allegedly detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. Bracero was also allegedly observed having blood shot eyes and slurred speech.
				Police said Bracero was drinking from a bottle of Fireball in front of the officer during the traffic stop.
				A records check showed Bracero was wanted by the Luzerne County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office.
				Bracero was placed in a holding cell where he removed his socks from his feet and stuffed the socks in a toilet he intentionally flooded, court records say.
				When the officer turned off the water to the toilet, Bracero placed his hands in the toilet and tossed water throughout the cell, according to court records.
				Court records say Bracero was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas on July 20, 2020, to one-year in jail followed by two-years probation on drunken driving and child endangerment offenses.
				In that case, city police arrested Bracero for drunken driving with two children inside his vehicle on Park Avenue on Jan. 27, 2020, court records say.
				Bracero was arraigned Monday by District Judge James M. Dixon in Central Court on charges of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief, institutional vandalism, disorderly conduct, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and a traffic offense. Dixon jailed Bracero without bail deeming him a flight risk.

Police: Alleged drunken driver floods toilet, throws water in holding cell