Citizen chases hit and run suspect

Published 11:05 am Monday, December 19, 2016

Patterson

Patterson

An Austin citizen chased a suspect of a hit and run on Sunday, leading to the arrest of the man on several possible charges.

The suspect, Dargan Patterson, 23, of Austin, faces potential charges related to driving while under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, property damage/owner vehicle accident, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Police Chief Brian Krueger, the citizen, unnamed, allegedly witnessed Patterson, driving a Saturn sedan, strike a parked van on the 700 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast in Austin. The witness called the police just after 8 p.m. to report the crash and then reportedly began to chase the suspect on foot. He reported the suspect began to run north on Eighth Street before turning west on Seventh Avenue Southeast. Officers were able to arrest the man at the location given by the witness.

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Officers found Patterson with a laceration on his arm, which was treated at the scene. He was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and after being treated, was taken to the Mower County Jail. Officers reported that Patterson failed a sobriety test.

Also on Sunday, officers responded to a report of a missing handgun at 6:10 p.m. on the 300 block of 27th Street Southwest. The owner said he placed the 380-caliber stainless steel gun in a bag and gave it to someone at the apartment complex in which he lived. When he returned, the other person claimed someone took the gun. No other details were given.