BROOKINGS — A Sioux Falls man was in custody Friday afternoon and facing multiple charges after being arrested Friday morning at the Walmart in Brookings. 

Nicholas Johnson, 33, is being held in the Brookings County Detention Center and faces three charges, per a probable cause statement from the Brookings County State’s Attorney’s Office: 

• Simple assault domestic. 
• Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. 
• Obstructing an officer, jailer, and/or firefighter. 

The incident began unfolding Thursday night at approximately 7:44 p.m. when officers with the Brookings Police Department responded to a hotel in Brookings for a welfare check, according to a BPD news release. Lt. Joe Fishbaugher said a hotel employee reported there was a lot of drinking going on and that a child was also in the room. 

Following a BPD investigation, it was determined a woman in the room was a victim of domestic assault. Prior to BPD’s arrival, Johnson is alleged to have fled and taken the victim’s vehicle without her permission. 

Fishbaugher wrote Johnson also had a warrant from Woodbury County in Iowa.

The woman’s vehicle was found at 12:50 a.m. Friday in Brookings, and Johnson’s location was also determined, but Fishbaugher wrote that Johnson again fled prior to the BPD’s arrival. 

Later on Friday morning, at approximately 9:38 a.m., the BPD was notified of Johnson’s presence at Walmart on Sixth St. Upon officers’ arrival at the store, Johnson allegedly attempted to flee and obstruct police, Fishbaugher wrote. Ultimately, a taser was deployed and Johnson was arrested. There were no injuries during the arrest, Fishbaugher added.