Mark Allen Carpenter, 45, of Albert Lea was charged on Thursday in Mower County District Court with felony fifth-degree drug possession, felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor giving a false name to a peace officer, misdemeanor possession of over 1.4 grams of marijuana in a motor vehicle and petty misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia..

According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, police responded to a suspicious activity call at 2:34 p.m. at the Kwik Trip on West Oakland Avenue. They were told the suspect’s vehicle had left the store heading the wrong direction on the one-way section of West Oakland Avenue. An officer then spotted the vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot. The vehicle turned west onto West Oakland Avenue and the officer initiated a traffic stop in the 2200 block.

The driver, Carpenter, claimed he was “Jeremy Johnson,” according to Krueger. The photo on the driver’s license allegedly did not match and the officer ordered Carpenter to exit the vehicle several times. Carpenter allegedly put the car in drive and the officer Tased him, but only one of the probes landed.

Carpenter then accelerated toward Interstate 90 as police pursued him, according to Krueger. He attempted to take the I-90 exit, but was going too fast and crashed his vehicle. He then allegedly ran on foot westbound under the bridge and up the hill of the eastbound off ramp before police tackled him.

Krueger said officers searched Carpenter and the vehicle and found 2.92 grams of methamphetamine, 3.93 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Gold Cross Ambulance Service took Carpenter to the hospital after he complained of pain from the accident. He was released and taken to Mower County Jail, where he allegedly told police he ran because there is a Department of Corrections warrant for his arrest for felony violent felon in possession of a firearm.

A review of Carpenter’s criminal record shows prior convictions for criminal sexual conduct, possession of stolen property, theft, drug possession, misusing credit cards to secure services, burglary and felon in possession of a firearm.

Carpenter will appear in court again on May 24.