On December 8th around 10:55 a.m., police were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Milwaukee Street for a report of an assault that had just occurred. While en-route, police were advised that the suspect left the area in a Ford Mustang. Police spotted the suspect vehicle in the area of Milwaukee Street and attempted a traffic stop on the Mustang. The vehicle did not stop and police began pursuing it. At one point, the vehicle entered the parking lot of 2550 Haines Avenue and proceeded around the rear side of the building before spinning out and coming to a stop. Police attempted to order the male driver out of the vehicle, but the vehicle reversed and left the parking lot onto Mall Drive. While eastbound on Mall Drive, the vehicle’s hood popped up over the windshield. The pursuit was terminated for safety reasons, however, officers still kept in sight of the vehicle. Officers observed the Mustang lose control and veer off the roadway in the area of Mall Drive and Dyess Avenue. The car struck a hydrant before coming to a stop. The male was ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody. He was identified as 49-year-old Jerry Littlebear of Rapid City. Police noted the smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. Following a DUI investigation, he was determined to be too impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle. He was placed under arrest for DUI (5th), Aggravated Eluding, Reckless Driving, Driving Under Revocation, and No Proof of Insurance before being transported to the Pennington County Jail.
