Police say thief was drunk and wouldn’t pull over

ALBERT LEA — An Albert Lea man was arrested early Saturday after he reportedly assaulted a local taxi driver, took the taxi and led police on a chase.

Quinten Duane Amos, 32, is in the Freeborn County jail on charges of assault, robbery, fleeing an officer in a vehicle and driving while intoxicated, among other charges.

Dispatchers received a call at about 5 a.m. Saturday about an Albert Lea taxi driver being assaulted by a person the driver picked up on Oakwood Terrace off of South Shore Drive, according to an Albert Lea police report.

After the assault, the taxi driver stopped the vehicle and ran near the Albert Lea Taxi office, 1325 SE Broadway, after which Amos reportedly drove away in the vehicle, according to the report.

Officers found the taxi near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Front Street.

The officers tried to stop the taxi, but it reportedly continued westbound on Front Street without stopping, reaching speeds as high as 50 mph and driving erratically, the police report states.

The vehicle was ultimately stopped on north Ermina Avenue, where Amos was arrested.

The taxi driver reportedly suffered minor injuries.

Freeborn County Sheriff’s office deputies assisted.

Albert Lea Taxi is owned by Nasby Radiator Service & Auto Repair.