Robbery Suspects, 3 Children Involved in High Speed Chase with Police

Sioux Falls Police say an incident that began around midnight at the east-side Walmart ended after a chase that led officers to Brandon.

Police say they were called to the Walmart in the 5500 block of East Arrowhead Parkway for a strong-armed robbery, assault and shoplifting, but the suspects had fled before officers arrived.

The suspect vehicle was located a short time later and a traffic stop was attempted near 6th and Cleveland, but the driver refused to stop and the chase that resulted continued on Interstate 229 and then I-90 until it ended at Rice Street and Timberline Avenue in the Brandon area.

The driver was taken into custody without incident, while the passenger was taken into custody after a brief struggle with police.

At the time of the pursuit there were three children in the van and they were not injured.  A 58-year-old back seat passenger suffered minor injuries. The 3 children were taken into protective custody.

The driver was identified as 28-year-old Joanne M. Swallow of Mitchell. She was charged with aggravated eluding, 3 counts of abuse and cruelty to children, shoplifting and driving with a suspended license.

The front seat passenger was identified as 34-year-old Robert Salinas of Sioux Falls. He was charged with aggravated eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, 3 counts of abuse and cruelty to children, robbery, resisting arrest and and with being a fugitive from justice.

Gene Hetland contributed to this report.