Two individuals arrested after being stopped for erratic driving received criminal charges on Friday in Mower County District Court.

Cham Obang Oman, 23, of Austin was charged with felony violent felon in possession of a firearm, felony violent felon in possession of firearm ammunition and felony receiving stolen property.

The vehicle’s driver, Edbin Jose Coreas, 23, of Austin was charged with gross misdemeanor DWI-refuse to submit to chemical test; blood or urine as required by search warrant and misdemeanor possession of an open bottle

According to the court complaint, a Mower County deputy observed a 2005 Dodge Dakota pull out of the Rodeway Inn parking lot at a high rate of speed at 11:27 p.m. on Dec. 20. The Dodge drove into the ditch between Highway 218 and Rodeway Inn, then backed up and turned south on a short frontage road near the Shell gas station. It then accelerated, squealed the tires and drove across Highway 218 into the National Guard Armory parking lot and into the Austin Airport parking lot. The Dodge then slowed near a building and the deputy believed something was thrown from the vehicle. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the Dodge pulled into a parking spot.

Coreas exited from the driver side and Oman exited from the passenger side. The deputy asked Coreas about his driving behavior and was told the vehicle “slipped on some ice.”

More law enforcement arrived on the scene and the deputy noticed Coreas had slurred speech, watery eyes, and smelled of alcohol and marijuana. Coreas claimed he had two drinks, but denied using drugs. When asked to perform field sobriety tests, Coreas got upset, but eventually agreed. He failed to follow instructions and became argumentative and was placed under arrest.

The deputy told other law enforcement he suspected something had been thrown from the vehicle near one of the buildings, and a black 9-millimeter handgun was found nearby. A magazine with six rounds was found inside and the serial number matched that of a handgun reported stolen on Nov. 7. The deputy noticed Oman was acting nervous, watching the officer while he searched. Oman, who is ineligible to possess a firearm due to a prior assault conviction, denied throwing the weapon from the vehicle. He was also placed under arrest.

A plastic cup containing alcohol was found in the center console of the Dodge.

While at the Mower County Jail, Coreas refused to submit to a blood or urine test despite law enforcement obtaining a search warrant to issue the test. The Dodge was forfeited due to Coreas having a prior DWI conviction.

Coreas and Oman will appear in court again on Jan. 3.