Man charged with battery after allegedly hitting Douglas County deputy vehicle

MINDEN, Nev. - An alleged theft investigation at a WalMart in Douglas County led to the arrest of 23-year-old Gardnerville resident Steven Williams with the assistance of the South Lake Tahoe K-9 unit.

The incident started on Friday morning when deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded to the Walmart on Grant Avenue for an alleged theft investigation. They learned the suspect was driving a white sport utility vehicle.

At 10:42 a.m. the deputies located a vehicle matching that description in the Riverview 7-11 parking lot. When one deputy approached the vehicle, Williams accelerated his vehicle towards another patrol deputy who was standing by his police sedan. Williams hit the driver's door, knocking the deputy backward.

The vehicle driven by Williams fled the scene and was located in the 1400 block of Glenwood Drive. Williams and an unidentified passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled the area on foot. DCSO, with assistance from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department K-9 units and the Nevada Highway Patrol, conducted an extensive manhunt in the golf course community.

After two hours of searching, the search was terminated.

A tip led deputies to a residence near the Riverview 7-11. At 4:00 p.m., Williams was located and arrested without incident at approximately. DCSO investigators are working on identifying the unknown passenger.

The injured deputy received minor injuries and was later treated at the Carson Valley Medical Center.