An Albert Lea man who allegedly led law enforcement on a vehicle chase earlier this month in Albert Lea has been charged with a felony in Freeborn County District Court.

Paul Arthur Berg, 66, is charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor driving after cancellation.

Court documents state Berg was charged after the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched Jan. 4 on a report of Berg driving a Dodge Ram pickup with a canceled license.

A Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office sergeant reportedly made a U-turn and began to pursue Berg, who was heading north on Garfield Avenue. Berg reportedly accelerated after the sergeant turned west on Ramsey Avenue and did not stop after the sergeant activated his siren.

Court documents state Berg stopped in the turn lane at a red light behind another vehicle at the intersection of Marshall Street and Bridge Avenue, and the sergeant allegedly exited his vehicle and approached the vehicle. Once the light turned green, however, the vehicle turned left on Bridge Avenue.

Berg reportedly increased his speed to a little more than the posted speed limit of 30 mph and passed a Sheriff’s Office deputy.

The chase continued, and an Albert Lea Police Department sergeant pulled his squad car to block the intersection of Clark Street and Elizabeth Avenue. The pickup allegedly approached the squad car before turning left on Elizabeth Avenue.

Berg allegedly arrived at the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and East William Street, took a right into a parking lot of a dentist’s office  and cut through the parking lot, maneuvering around the squad car.

Berg reportedly exited the vehicle behind his house at 421 College St., and he was arrested and taken into custody. When asked why he tried to evade officers, Berg reportedly said he did not want his vehicle towed.

As of Friday afternoon, Berg was in custody. A contested omnibus hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.

Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine.

In a separate file, Berg has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 7 in connection with a probation violation from a 2012 case involving soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct or a prohibited act.