A 32-year-old Sioux Falls man was arrested Monday night after leading police on a chase and ramming a police car.
Robert Lewis Jr. was charged with aggravated eluding, aggravated assault on law enforcement, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a firearm by a former drug offender, possession of a firearm by a former violent offender, and attempting to commit a felony with a firearm.
The incident began at 8:47 p.m. when detectives were following up on information about a man who was believed to be in a stolen vehicle and armed. The detectives located the vehicle parked in the 1000 block of North Minnesota Avenue. They saw a man inside the vehicle and a woman exit the vehicle and go into a business.
The detectives approached the vehicle in their own vehicle and activated their overhead lights. The man put the vehicle in reverse and backed into the police car. He then moved forward and backed into the detectives’ vehicle a second time before driving off northbound.
The detectives pursued the vehicle and a short chase ensued. The man eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. He fled on foot, but was apprehended by officers a short time later.
During the foot chase, the man discarded a bag containing a firearm. The firearm was recovered by officers.
Lewis was transported to the Minnehaha County Jail. He is being held without bond.
The woman who was seen exiting the vehicle was not arrested.