SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls police officer escaped serious injury after being dragged a short distance when he got his arm caught in a car window while trying to turn off a suspect's vehicle.
Officer Sam Clemens says police wanted 54-year-old Mark Samuel Graham to get out his S-U-V to be arrested for allegedly grabbing a woman by the throat.
Clemens says Graham was taunting the 39-year-old woman who was moving out of a rental unit owned by Graham's father. Heather Lynn Pastor is accused of hitting Graham's S-U-V with a shovel and he allegedly grabbed her by the throat.
Once police arrived, Graham refused to get out of his vehicle and that's when the officer reached in the window to turn off the ignition. Graham drove away, dragging the officer about 15 feet before freeing himself.
Graham was arrested a short time later without incident.
Graham is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault on law enforcement, obstruction, resisting arrest and reckless driving.
Pastor is charged with intentional damage to property.