A motorist with the law on his tail in Stearns County cranked up the nighttime chase to 100-plus miles per hour, then slowed down enough to abandon the car while it was in motion only to be caught hours later, authorities said.
The suspect was arrested about 8:10 a.m. Saturday near a residential garage on Shorewood Drive in Avon, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office said. He was treated for exposure to the cold and awaits charges. His identity has yet to be released.
According to the Sheriff's Office:
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle shortly after 3 a.m., but it took off, at times reaching speeds exceeding 100 mph. Once it pulled over west of Avon on County Road 54, the driver got out as the vehicle was still moving and ran into a swampy swath of land.
The ground search was called off in the dark and deep swampland, and a State Patrol helicopter was brought in. Deputies on the ground resumed their search at daybreak, leading to the man's apprehension.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
