A Lake Mills man charged with burglarizing a Hayward bar last month pleaded not guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Jeromy Eugene Dann, 34, is charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and possessing ammo or any firearm with a previous felony conviction.

Court documents state Dann was arrested after deputies were dispatched early in the morning of Jan. 22 to Julio’s Bar & Grill on a report of a burglary in progress. Deputies were informed he had taken the cash register. Dann had reportedly left the scene.

A pickup reportedly passed officers with speeds reaching 100 mph and did not pull over after an officer activated his emergency lights. The driver of the pickup started throwing items out the window, court documents state, and the vehicle reportedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of Freeborn County roads 13 and 26.

The pickup reversed and struck an officer’s vehicle before the officer reversed and the pickup lost control and entered the ditch, court documents state.

After Dann was arrested, he reportedly told officers he thought they would have ended the pursuit had he traveled fast enough and apologized for endangering them.

Dann allegedly confessed to the burglary and said he did it because he needed money.

A cash drawer, money and registered receipt paper, which were identified as belonging to the bar, were found in a search of the route of the pursuit, court documents state.

A witness and surveillance video reportedly showed Dann participate in the burglary.

Shotgun shells and items linked to other burglaries in the area were found in the pickup, court documents state.

A settlement conference is scheduled for March 9 and a jury trial is scheduled for May 23, if the case has not been settled by then.