A wanted man involved in a violent encounter with law enforcement has been charged.

On Friday, March 25, Deputy Dillinger of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop around 12:05 a.m. on Wahlsten Road in Kugler Township, just south of Tower.

According to the criminal complaint, Dep. Dillinger was attempting to stop a vehicle that was speeding.  After nearly two to three miles, the vehicle stopped on the side of the road but was not put into park. The driver, identified as Eric Newman, 47, reversed and sped back toward Dep. Dillinger’s squad car after Dillinger made verbal commands to the driver.

Newman then drove off and Dep. Dillinger engaged in a pursuit.  The report says during the pursuit, the deputy attempted several PIT maneuvers before a Babbitt Police Officer Shenett deployed stop sticks on Hwy. 21.

When Dep. Dillinger caught up to Newman he attempted another PIT maneuver, but Newman hit the officer’s squad car and Dep. Dillinger regained control to eventually stop Newman.

When Newman got out of the car, he started walking toward the officers with a screwdriver in his right hand. The officers shouted verbal commands and Dep. Dillinger drew his firearm.  Off. Shenett deployed his taser and Newman ran toward the ditch, later advancing towards Dep. Dillinger.  The officers allegedly grabbed Newman and put him under arrest. 

Meanwhile, Newman continued to fight with the officers. The complaint said Newman headbutted Off. Shenett, as well as grab Dep. Dillinger inappropriately.  The officers made several attempts to “get him under some control.”  Officers discovered a pipe with methamphetamine residue in Newman’s vehicle and found he had been tracking law enforcement on his phone.