STURGIS, S.D. – Four people have been detained following a pursuit that began in Sturgis and ended in Spearfish early Tuesday afternoon.
Sturgis Police say they received a report of a juvenile female who had been held against her will and had escaped from a residence in Sturgis. Officers located the juvenile and transported her to the Meade County Law Enforcement Center.
During interviews, it was learned that the 15-year-old female had been sexually assaulted and forced to consume illegal drugs over a period of time. Through the course of the investigation, officers were able to identify a suspect and the residence where the crimes occurred.
A Patrol Sergeant conducting surveillance on the residence observed the suspect leaving in a vehicle with three other occupants. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued in and around the City of Sturgis at high speeds with reckless driving. The chase then extended through Deadwood, Lead, and into Spearfish Canyon. Multiple attempts were made to deploy tire deflation devices (“spike strips”), but they were unsuccessful. The vehicle ultimately came to a stop in Spearfish Canyon just before entering the Spearfish city limits.
During the pursuit, multiple items of drug paraphernalia and controlled substances were thrown from the vehicle. All passengers were taken into custody and face numerous charges related to the pursuit.
The driver, identified as Michael Wilson of Sturgis, was arrested for multiple felony offenses, including Rape, Aggravated Kidnapping, and various drug and pursuit-related charges.
Sturgis Police Chief Geody Vandewater says the pursuit led to the temporary secure status at Sturgis Elementary and Sturgis Williams Middle School and the pursuit through the canyon led to a minor collision between another vehicle and a law enforcement vehicle.
Vandewater praised the cooperation involved with the various law enforcement agencies who participated in bringing the pursuit to an end.
Assisting agencies included the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Deadwood Police Department, Lead Police Department, Spearfish Police Department, and a Bureau of Land Management Officer.