At approximately 0030 hours on Friday, August 15, 2008, Sioux Falls Police responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident at Tenth Street and Cleveland Avenue.

A preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle was traveling north on Cleveland Avenue from Tenth Street, when it crossed the southbound lane and sheered off a power pole on the west side of the street. The vehicle continued on across the entrance to the apartments at 111 North Cleveland Avenue and stopped just short of hitting the building. The driver then backed up and collided with another power pole, snapping it off at the base. The weight of this pole snapped a third pole, causing a small explosion and knocking out power to the area.

A citizen who observed the accident followed the vehicle to the apartment complex at 2909 East Sixth Street where the suspect parked in one of the garages and fled into the apartment building.

Officers located the suspect hiding in one of the apartments that he had broken into. His vehicle, a 1984 Chevy Blazer, SD License No. 44GHU1, was located in one of the garages in the complex.

The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Dustin Derrick VanLaar of Sioux Falls. He was lodged for:

• DWI 4
• Hit-and-Run
• Criminal Trespass
• Intentional Damage to Property

The power outage was from I-229 to Cleveland Avenue and Tenth Street to Sixth Street. It affected several businesses, including Old Home Bakery and the Fryn’ Pan. Power was not expected to be restored until later this morning.