Man flees from police and runs into patrol car before being charged with multiple felonies
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SWAN VALLEY — A man was arrested after attempting to run from authorities late Thursday night.
Austin Francis Williams, 30, was arrested by Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies after they received a report of a wanted man possibly driving under the influence in Swan Valley around 10 p.m.
Williams had reportedly left Buck’s Convenience Store in Irwin after telling people that he “was drunk and had been using fentanyl.” He then left and went to Huck’s Gas Station on U.S. Highway 26 at the Idaho Highway 31 junction.
Police were informed Williams had active warrants for his arrest out of Bonneville and Teton County.
Deputies found Williams at Huck’s Gas Station standing by his car at the gas pump, but when they made contact, Williams began to argue and cuss at the deputies. He threw his hat on the ground and cracked his neck “indicating he wanted to fight,” according to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were worried that Williams was looking for a weapon in his car with one hand while gesturing toward the officers that he wanted to fight with his other hand. They were also concerned that he would drive away in his car while intoxicated, so one deputy deployed his taser after Williams repeatedly ignored their commands.
After being tased, Williams ran from deputies. His car was secured, and once Idaho State Police troopers arrived, they begin a search for the man.
Dispatch received many calls from local residents who spotted Williams asking for a ride or attempting to enter buildings. A short time later, Williams was found back at his vehicle and immediately started running again when he noticed deputies.
As the man was running, he ran into an ISP patrol car and fell to the ground, quickly being apprehended by a trooper and deputies.
A search of his car found a small handgun, later revealed to be stolen from the Shelley area. Deputies also found drug paraphernalia, and Williams admitted that he had been using fentanyl and was on his way to Idaho Falls to buy more. Deputies also discovered that the man had a prior felony conviction for burglary, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.
Williams was then transported to Idaho Falls Community Hospital for medical clearance and then taken to the Bonneville County Jail where he was booked on outstanding warrants from Bonneville and Teton counties.
Williams was also booked on felony charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and misdemeanor charges for two counts of resisting and obstructing, and possession of drug paraphernalia.