Austin police use taser on driver after high speed chase - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) -- After a high speed chase Friday night through the streets of Austin, a man from California has been jailed on multiple charges.

The drama began after authorities in Steele County sent an alert that a blue Honda Accord with North Dakota plates had been reported stolen.  An Austin police officer spotted the car in the downtown area and tried to apprehend the driver about 9:15 p.m.  That's when the chase began, reaching speeds of 120 miles an hour on westbound Co. Road 4, then Co. Road 19 and 111 in Freeborn County.  When the driver turned around and headed back into Austin, police tried to end it by deploying "stop sticks" but the driver eluded the spikes.

Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger says the chase ended at 4th Avenue and 13th Street NW when the car ran out of gas.  But the chief says the driver resisted arrest and officers had to use a taser to take him into custody.

"He refused to comply with commands and would not come out," said Chief Krueger.  "He was gripping the steering wheel and had to be pulled out of the car, then scuffled with officers and tried to escape, so he was tased." 

Daungchan Keobownhmee, 31, of Sacramento, Calif., is jailed on multiple charges including felony fleeing in a motor vehicle and reckless driving.