On Sept. 4, at approximately 1:18 a.m., Big Lake Officer Tyler Sinclair observed a dirt bike without a rear license plate traveling on Eagle Lake Rd. N. Officer Sinclair observed the driver to be a white male, wearing a dark grey or black sweatshirt, jeans and boots. As the dirt bike traveled on Eagle Lake Rd., the driver accelerated to a speed of 66mph in a 30mph zone.

Officer Sinclair activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the dirt bike. The dirt bike turned into the Big Lake High School parking lot and then out of the school lot back onto Eagle Lake Rd. The dirt bike reached speeds of approximately 100mph in the area of Eagle Lake Rd./Hiawatha Ave. and the dirt bike was traveling in the southbound lanes heading northbound.

The dirt bike continued on Co. Rd. 5 at 100mph weaving between the northbound and southbound lanes. As they entered Orrock Twp., the dirt bike went into a grassy area, through a chain link fence, and back onto Co. Rd. 5. The dirt bike then left the roadway and headed into a group of trees.

Big Lake officers and Sherburne County deputies set up a perimeter. Shortly thereafter, a male was located and came out with his hands raised. Officer Sinclair identified the male as the one he observed fleeing on the dirt bike. The male was uncooperative, telling officers that he was in his bed and wasn’t fleeing. While speaking with the male, officers smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. He had bloodshot, watery eyes, and slurred speech.

The male refused to identify himself, first saying his name was Bill. Eventually, he was identified as Ethan Grimlie-Johnson, age 24 of Becker. Officer Sinclair obtained a search warrant for Grimlie-Johnson’s blood or urine, but he refused to give it.

Grimlie-Johnson submitted to a preliminary breath test at the jail that was .124. Grimlie-Johnson has two prior DWI convictions from 2017 and 2018.

Grimlie-Johnson was booked at the Sherburne County jail. Grimlie-Johnson was charged by criminal complaint with; Felony Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Gross Misdemeanor DWI Refusal, and Gross Misdemeanor DWI.