A Knoxville man was taken into custody following a high speed chase through Madison and Union Counties Monday.

According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy found Shawn William Laird sleeping in a vehicle in southern Madison County. After the deputy informed Laird the vehicle had been stolen in Knoxville, he fled the scene, striking the deputy with his vehicle and knocking him into a ditch. The deputy was able to get into his vehicle and pursue Laird. The chase led them into Union County and members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol joined the pursuit. Laird initially evaded law enforcement, but after parking in a field west of Lorimor he was found. He then fled on foot and was apprehended shortly afterwards. Laird is charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, possession of stolen property, eluding law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, and three traffic violations.