IM train damaged

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 26, 2002

Austin police are looking for information regarding an incident that occurred on an I&M Rail Link locomotive Thursday.

According to police reports, unknown individuals entered the locomotive, located between 10th and 11th streets NE and set off a fire extinguisher.

Capt. Curt Rude said the damage was minimal but the incident seems to be part of a string of vandalism and petty thefts that have happened in the area.

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"It seems to be youthful offenders and our primary concern is their safety," Rude said. "Any help from citizens in the area that see kids hanging around the track would be greatly appreciated."

Three in jail after car chase

Three Austin men, aged 20, 22 and 24, are being held in the Mower County Jail after a short car chase Thursday.

Police reports state officers spotted a car at 7:46 p.m. that had been reported stolen from Freeborn County several days ago.

When police tried to stop the car, the driver sped down the street for a few blocks, stopped and three men jumped out and ran through the neighborhood in the northwest part of Austin.

A patrol saturation involving officers from Mower, Fillmore and Dodge Counties was being held in the area, so extra officers were available to help in the chase. "They picked the wrong night to do this because we had seven extra cars," Detective Tom Stiehm said.

The commotion caused many residents to come out of their homes to see what was happening and the assisted officers in finding the men.

The men, Stiehm said, "kicked the hornet's nest … (they) were just surrounded … the people were great. They got a huge kick out of it."

The men had to be maced and handcuffed before officers could take them to jail. They are expected to face charges Monday.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com