PRESTON — A 19-year-old Preston man faces assault, theft and other charges after allegedly stealing some property, threatening two individuals at gunpoint, stealing a pickup and crashing into a Preston Police squad car.
According to a Fillmore County Sheriff's Office press release, an individual came to the sheriff's office at about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday to report the theft of some property. Preston Police were able to contact the suspected thief, Dylan Bathke, and arrange for him to return the property to the sheriff's office.
Later that night, two other individuals arrived at the sheriff's office and reported that they were assisting Bathke in returning the property when he pulled a gun and threatened them. Bathke reportedly then jumped from the vehicle on the north side of Preston.
Informed that Bathke was spotted around the site of the original theft, law enforcement located him at around 12:51 a.m. Thursday. Bathke allegedly fled in a vehicle that was later reported as stolen. Bathke was taken into custody near US Highway 52 and County Road 16 between Preston and Harmony, but not before hitting a Preston Police squad car with the stolen vehicle.
Bathke could face charges of second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault (assault of a police officer) theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving and driving under the influence.
