Deputy Catches Suspect Who Ran From Courthouse

A Union man was arrested Tuesday morning after fleeing on foot from a county deputy in downtown Union.

Austin Thater, 22, had warrants for his arrest for probation violation, according to Sheriff Gary Toelke.

There were charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer, tampering with a motor vehicle and traffic offenses, Toelke said.

Thater was in the Franklin County Judicial Center when a county employee saw the suspect and contacted a deputy who was in the building.

Thater overheard the county employee telling the deputy that Thater had warrants for his arrest, and he fled out the front entrance of the building.

The deputy began chasing Thater east through several streets and alleys. A person on a motorcycle also was following the man, Toelke said.

Thater ran down an alley while he was pursued by the deputy, and as the deputy was getting closer, Thater began walking.

The deputy warned that he would use his taser if Thater did not stop. The deputy arrested Thater without using the taser, Toelke said.