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Andre Maurice Chamblis, 25, was taken into custody just before 11 a.m. and referred to the county attorney’s office for a slew of charges, including fleeing police in a motor vehicle, reckless driving and driving with a canceled license.
According to police reports: The incident began Monday when an employee at Wal-Mart reported someone stealing items and assaulting a security employee. The responding officer received a description of the suspect, the green van he drove off in and a license plate.
At about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, that same officer saw the green Plymouth minivan with matching plates stopped at a stop sign at Second and Lafayette streets. The driver, later identified as Chamblis, matched the description given by Wal-Mart. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to pull Chamblis over.
Chamblis stopped briefly and then made an abrupt left turn onto Center Street, accelerating through a four-way stop. The officer gave chase as Chamblis drove south on Center Street, passing vehicles on the left at speeds estimated at between 50 and 55 mph.
The officer fell behind Chamblis when he slowed for intersections and traffic to avoid wrecking. Nearly two blocks away, Chamblis abandoned the van — hitting a parked car in the process — and fled the area on foot.
The pursuing officer radioed a description of Chamblis, and most members of the police department dropped what they were doing to join the search through backyards and residences. But they couldn’t find their suspect.
Police received reports of Chamblis in the area of the Sugar Loaf Apartments in Winona at 9:35 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. Both times, they were unable to locate him.
At 10:55 a.m., a patrol officer spotted Chamblis riding a bicycle in the area of Fifth and Center streets and arrested him without incident. He denied being the driver. Chamblis was taken to the Winona County Jail, where he is awaiting formal charges and a first appearance in court.
Police are still investigating Chamblis’ alleged shoplifting at Wal-Mart and are waiting for video surveillance from the store.
