Chase hits 100 mph

After a lengthy, high-speed chase through Austin and into Freeborn County, authorities arrested an Austin woman who allegedly shoplifted at Walmart.

Austin Police received a theft report from Walmart shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, along with a description of the suspect and her red car. Officers found the suspect and began following her from northwest to southwest Austin. According to the police report, the woman ran through several stop signs, hit speeds of 50 to 60 mph and even hit a parked vehicle on Fourth Avenue Southwest.

The woman allegedly backed away from the parked car and fled out of town. Mower County Sheriff’s deputies unsuccessfully tried to stop the car with stop sticks. The suspect then went west on County Road 28, where she sped up to about 100 mph. Deputies arrested the woman after she reportedly parked in Oakland in Freeborn County and fled through yards on foot. According to the report, the woman had more than $300 in stolen items — including stationery, sandpaper, pet wipes and pet food — along with stolen items from another victim.

The woman awaits formal charges while in the Mower County jail. Charges could include theft, fleeing in a vehicle, speeding and stop sign violations, leaving the scene of an accident, and fleeing officers on foot.