MELROSE — A 32-year-old suspect from Eden Valley was arrested Tuesday in connection to burglaries in the Melrose area after he fled from a traffic stop, crashed and fled again on foot and was eventually located by a K-9.
According to a news release from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, a 32-year-old male from Eden Valley was identified as a possible suspect in two burglary complaints between 8 and 10 a.m. Tuesday in Melrose Township and neighboring Millwood Township.
He was reportedly seen leaving a residence in a vehicle in Melrose Township. A deputy and a Melrose police officer followed the vehicle into Melrose, where they conducted a traffic stop.
According to the news release, when informed he was being detained, the man fled at a high rate of speed into downtown Melrose. Law enforcement decided not to pursue the vehicle due to the driving conduct.
The man attempted to turn westbound onto Main Street from Stearns County Road 13 when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a pole and building. He then fled on foot from the scene of the crash, according to the release.
Deputies requested additional resources including a K-9 unit. The K-9 was deployed and alerted officers to a box truck south of the crash scene.
Law enforcement surrounded the truck and instructed the man to come out. According to the release, chemical irritants were deployed into the truck with a non-lethal launcher after he failed to comply with orders.
The suspect then surrendered to law enforcement without further incident. He was taken to the CentraCare — Melrose Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries suffered in the crash before he was transported to the Stearns County Jail.
No one else was injured during the incident, according to the news release.
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The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Melrose Police Department, Sauk Centre Police Department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Melrose Ambulance.
The investigation remains active, according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.