Cape Coral police arrested a man for not only driving drunk, but for shooting from his car while driving and carrying a concealed firearm, according to officials.

At about 6:35 p.m. Sunday, police received a call from a witness who stated that he saw a white man point a firearm out the window of his moving vehicle and shoot a round off into the air. The incident occurred at Cape Coral Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard.

The witness said the vehicle was a white Jeep with FL tag B6FMW. Communications ran the tag and it came back registered to Christopher Nicholas Benetatos, 33, of 114 S.W. 21 Terrace.

Officers located the Jeep at the 2200 block of Souhwest Seventh Place. The vehicle was driving 10 miles an hour under the speed limit and swerving within its lane.

Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle. Benatatos and a woman were removed from the vehicle and detained without incident. Benetatos was the driver and showed signs of intoxication.

The witness was transported the scene and positively identified Benatatos as the man who shot off the round from the Jeep.

Officers located a loaded rifle in plain view sitting in between the center console and front passenger seat. A loaded Glock 22 firearm was found inside the center console that was readily accessible for use. Also in the center console was a Ruger firearm that was in a zippered gun bag.

Benetatos was wearing an empty holster designed to accommodate a Glock 22. An empty .40 caliber shell casing was found in the back seat was placed into evidence.

Forensics personnel swabbed Benetatos’ hands for gun residue and the results were positive.

During the investigation, Benatatos almost fell over while talking with officers roadside and had to be assisted while standing. He refused to participate in field sobriety.

Benetatos was charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle in public, carrying a concealed firearm and DUI. He was transported to the Lee County Jail.

As of today, he had been released from jail on $12,500 bond. He has a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 12.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department