For most, it was a time for giving thanks.
For others in Otter Tail County, it was a time to raise hell or give chase; take names and take depositions; and take trips to the county jail
"My goodness, we took a whipping," said Otter Tail County Sheriff Brian Schlueter.
Actually, it wasn't only the weekend, but the entire Thanksgiving week was a hellish one for area law enforcement.
---A high speed chase through rural East Otter Tail, ending in a rollover and a suspect who ran away from the scene and vanished
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---A grisly death by automobile fire near Parker's Prairie
---A violent assault at a Perham restaurant and lounge, with the victim in critical condition in Fargo
---A near-closing-time bar fight at the Otter Supper Club, with charges pending
There were also a number of DWIs around the county, said Sheriff Schlueter.
"Holiday weekends can be bad," said Schlueter. "You have people traveling and on the roads...There tends to be some holiday drinking, which contributes to problems."
Officers busy in Perham,
New York Mills
"We've been running all week," said New York Mills and Perham Police Chief Brian Nelson, as officers have been taking statements and investigating a bizarre Perham assault since last Tuesday, Nov. 21. To top it off, New York Mills officers handled two difficult domestic issues over the past week. One was an alleged assault on a mentally disabled and vulnerable adult. The other matter, a pending abuse charge stemming from a boyfriend and a mother of several children. For the kids, it wasn't much of a holiday: They were taken away from the home and placed in protective custody, said Chief Nelson, but specific details of these cases were not disclosed.
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Suspect flees on foot after high speed ground, air chase
Cops were in hot pursuit in the air and on the ground, in a high speed chase Nov. 23 that started near Fergus Falls, and ended near Dent.
A law enforcement helicopter and emergency vehicles from several agencies chased the suspect at speeds up to 95 mph until the car rolled in the ditch several times. The suspect then fled on foot, and remained at large as of Monday, Nov. 27.
Authorities have probable cause to arrest Derek Fuchs--when and if they find him.
The pursuit started east of Fergus Falls, near Wall Lake, when an officer saw a vehicle driving the wrong way on Highway 210. Officers gave chase to Underwood, then north on 35. During the chase, the suspect continually drove in the oncoming traffic lane.
Near the intersection of County 35 and County 44, the suspect evidently lost control of the vehicle, which rolled in the ditch several times. The vehicle then crossed 35 and crashed into a slough on the southeast side of Bolton Lake, south of Dent. The suspect fled on foot, running on the frozen lake and then disappearing.
The suspect's vehicle was totalled. There were no injuries to law enforcement.
Perham, Minnesota State Patrol, Otter Tail County Sheriff, and an MSP chopper, as well as numerous rural rescue squads assisted in the search for the suspect.
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After searching the car, officers recovered stolen property and drugs. "This suspect may be tied back to three burglaries," said Sheriff Schlueter. The suspect is also believed to be linked to a stolen car, he added.
Man burned to death in car fire
As of Monday, investigators were still trying to piece together circumstances surrounding a death in a burning vehicle near Parker's Prairie.
Deputies arrived at the scene Nov. 23, at about 11:30 p.m., where the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.
First Responders were on the scene, and the Parker's Prairie Fire Department extinguished the fire, near County Road 73, north of County Highway 40.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the vehicle was eastbound on a field access road when it crossed over County 73 out of control and overturned.
Officers had an identity based on items found in the victim's clothing. The victim was examined by the Otter Tail County coroner, and further examination was conducted using dental records.
