Man assaults deputy, steals patrol SUV, two other vehicles

TEA, S.D. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say they’re searching for a man who assaulted a Turner County deputy and stole the deputy’s patrol vehicle while he was being transported to the Minnehaha County Jail. The assault happened Tuesday afternoon near the Tea exit on Interstate 29. The deputy was taken to Sanford Health and treated for minor injuries.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says the man dumped the patrol SUV and stole a pickup truck near Worthing, then abandoned that vehicle near Steen, Minnesota and took a silver Chrysler minivan. The man who escaped was arrested and charged earlier this month for his role in a “multi-county crime spree” after he led authorities on a pursuit in Lincoln County.