Samuel Perez Jr., 35, of Dexter was charged with felony theft – take/drive motor vehicle – no owner consent – and two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault on Monday in Mower County District Court.

According to the court complaint, Mower County deputies were dispatched on Sunday to a residence in the 200 block of North Pine Street in Dexter on a reported domestic assault and vehicle theft. The reporting party, consisting of two women, stated that the suspect, identified as Perez, had attacked them, stolen a purse, and stolen a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. They indicated Perez may have driven the vehicle to Grand Meadow to buy cigarettes.

Deputies went toward Grand Meadow when they spotted the vehicle and stopped it. Perez was removed from the vehicle and placed in a squad car. The purse that was reported stolen was in the front passenger seat.

Deputies spoke to the women about the incident. One stated that Perez had knocked on her bedroom door asking for cigarette money. He then burst into the room and went for her purse and keys. When she tried to stop him, he threw her onto the bed.

She said she never gave Perez permission to take the vehicle. She also indicated that Perez has mental illness and was not taking his medication as prescribed.

The other woman said she went into the bedroom and saw them struggling. When she tried to separate them, she alleged that Perez pushed her to the floor, then left the residence with the stolen purse in the vehicle.

A review of Perez’s criminal history shows prior convictions for theft and simple robbery. He is currently awaiting disposition on a conviction for assaulting a peace officer.

Perez will appear in court again on Dec. 9.