Clay County (Northwest Iowa Now) — On Saturday afternoon the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a vehicle in a ditch northeast of Spencer in the 3100 mile of 300th Street.

Upon arrival by a Clay County Deputy, it was found that the pickup had fraudulent license plates and there was an open container of alcohol in the driver side cup holder. According to the release, the owner and driver of the pickup was 69-year-old Patrick Lynch of Ayrshire. Lynch was not at the scene by the vehicle, he reportedly had gotten a ride home from someone.

The Clay County and Palo Alto Sheriff’s Department located Lynch at his residence, performed a field sobriety test and was arrested for O.W.I. He was transported to the Clay County Jail, with a few brief stops along the way to be checked by medical personnel.

Lynch was charged with O.W.I. second offense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor; Open Container; No Insurance; Failure to Maintain Control; Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle; and Fraudulent Use of Registration, all Simple Misdemeanors.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Bud’s Service, Spencer Hospital, Dickens Fire & Rescue and the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office.