03/22/14 Becker Co., MN – Traffic Stop – Suspect Approached Becker County And Hubbard County Deputies With A Gun – Suspect Steals Becker County Sheriff’s Car – Shots Fired – 10 Mile Pursuit – Spike Strips

March 22, 2014

minnesota.cbslocal.com

A suspect is in custody following a 10-mile pursuit that ended in Becker County and included two deputies firing their weapons.

A Becker County deputy identified a vehicle suspected to be connected with a theft from a liquor store in Detroit Lakes at about 8:30 p.m.

Becker County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop the vehicle on County Road 37 near Shell Lake, but the suspect fled and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, officers used spike strips to disable the vehicle on County Road 44 just west of Two Inlets.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect exited the vehicle and approached a Becker County deputy and a Hubbard County deputy while armed with a shotgun. Both deputies took cover behind squad cars as the suspect approached them with the shotgun. The suspect was able to enter a Becker County squad car. Both deputies fired their weapons at the suspect who then fled the scene in the stolen squad car.

The squad car was then disabled by other officers using spike strips.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids where he was treated for minor injuries. He was released into the custody of the Hubbard County Sheriff.

No officers were injured during the incident. The Becker County deputy and Hubbard County deputy who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard in such cases.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident at the request of Hubbard and Becker County Sheriff’s offices.