A gun-toting felon sped away from a State Patrol officer on Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis -- reaching 100 miles per hour at one point -- and crashed into a squad car and another vehicle before being arrested, authorities said Sunday.

The incident occurred late Saturday when "we attempted to stop a vehicle for a seat-belt violation on 94," said Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske.

The driver, a 24-year-old man from New Hope, took the Hennepin-Lyndale exit and "crashed a couple times before being taken into custody," Roeske said.

Authorities found a loaded handgun in one of his pockets. In his car was a container with white residue. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of possible injuries and remains jailed pending charges. According to state records, the man has felony convictions in Minnesota for burglary and drug possession.

PAUL WALSH