Monday at approximately 7 p.m. in Big Lake,  Officer Guy Chaffee observed a dark-colored vehicle traveling southbound on Ormsbee Street that had its front license plate improperly displayed. 

Chaffee turned around and activated his vehicle’s emergency lights in an effort to stop the car, but instead the vehicle accelerated to attempt to elude the officer.

Chaffee tailed the vehicle and watched the driver fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Ormsbee and Lake Street. The pursuit continued until Chaffee noticed the vehicle crash into a semaphore sign at the railroad tracks. The vehicle then proceeded to turn around and go southbound on Lake Street.

Chaffee used his squad car’s push bumper to attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver eluded the efforts and continued down the road until smoke appeared from the chased vehicle and came to a stop. Chaffee pulled up to the disabled car and blocked it to keep it from fleeing again.

Chaffee approached the vehicle and encountered the driver, Jerrid A. Roushar of Monticello (30 years of age). Roushar was arrested at the scene and transported to the Sherburne County Jail.

In a post-Miranda statement, Roushar said he fled because he had outstanding warrants and did not want to go back to prison. He also stated he did not think the officer would continue to pursue him.

Roushar was charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and will face the consequences of the outstanding warrants.