A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy and the suspect he was chasing suffered minor injuries following a high speed chase and foot pursuit in Council Bluffs Wednesday morning. Sheriff Jeff Danker says Deputy Mark Freeman engaged in the pursuit of a motorcycle driven by 44-year old Dean Putnam, of Council Bluffs westbound on 17^th Street.

The chase wound its way through several City streets at speeds approaching 70-miles per hour before Putnam lost control and laid the bike down on its left side before it skidded to a stop. Danker says the man took off on foot from the scene with the deputy close behind.

Freeman caught up to Putnam and tackled him to the ground, where the two struggled. Danker says Putnam resisted arrest and was combative. The deputy called for assistance, which came in the form of officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department. Despite their efforts, Putnam continued to struggle with the officers, one of whom deployed a Taser.

While still resisting arrest, Danker says the officers were finally able to get handcuffs placed on Putnam, but his fight wasn’t over. The man allegedly struck Deputy Freeman several times in the right knee and right hand. Both men were transported to the hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Putnam was charged with Driving While Barred, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Felony Eluding, and Reckless Driving. He also had a warrant for his arrest issued out of Dubuque. Putnam was being held in the Pott. County Jail on $15,000 bond.