BUTLER TWP — A suspected illegal immigrant, who was previously deported with a felony conviction, was arrested for drunken driving late Monday night after causing a near collision on Route 68, authorities said.

Edward E. Jacinto, 25, who lied about his identity, township police said, was placed in the Butler County Prison following his arraignment on driving under the influence and other charges.

The Department of Homeland Security later filed an immigration detainer on the native of Guatemala.

Police began looking for the suspect after a motorist called 911 about 10:40 p.m. to report a possible drunken driver.

The witness, a woman who police did not identify, told authorities she saw the suspect traveling near the Farm Show on Route 68. She said his car was swerving into oncoming traffic and at one point almost hit another car turning onto the road. He also allegedly ran a flashing red light.

The woman followed the suspect’s car until she saw it turn into the Almost Home Motel on New Castle Road. That’s where police found Jacinto, who lists his address at the motel.

Jacinto was standing next to his car, a 2008 Dodge Charger with Nebraska license plates.

Police said he appeared impaired.

He denied driving the car and gave officers a bogus name. He refused to answer questions and asked to speak to his attorney.

Police subsequently took Jacinto to the state police barracks where troopers used the Livescan fingerprinting system to get his identity.

Livescan electronically scans a person’s hand to create prints. It also instantly sends the prints to other agencies, such as the FBI, and can quickly access criminal histories based on fingerprints.

Police said Jacinto is a felon who was deported from the country in 2011.

At his Tuesday arraignment, Jacinto only admitted to being previously arrested for trespass.

Police also gave him a breath test at the barracks. The test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.099 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

Haggerty arraigned Jacinto on charges of driving under the influence, false reports to police, driving without a license, careless driving, disregarding traffic lanes and disregarding a flashing red light.

He was sent to the county prison on $20,000 bond in the criminal case.

Additionally, officials for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of DHS, faxed a detainer to the prison to hold Jacinto until federal authorities decide what to do with him pending resolution of the criminal case.