Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
A New York Mills woman remains in the Otter Tail County jail after being charged with felony complaints on April 26.
Forty-nine-year-old Diana Lee Koljonen was charged in Otter Tail County District court with fleeing peace officers, third degree theft, and driving after revocation after a shoplifting report was received from an employee of Nadines in Perham on April 24.
According to court documents, Koljonens vehicle was stopped on North Boardman Avenue in New York Mills by an Otter Tail County Sheriffs Deputy because the vehicle and the driver matched the description of the alleged Nadines shoplifter. The Deputy ran a check of Koljonens driving record and learned her license had previously been revoked.
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A second Sheriffs Deputy arrived at the scene and confirmed that Koljonen allegedly matched the description of the suspect in Perham. The Deputy also allegedly observed several bags in the vehicle. Koljonen gave permission for the deputies to search her vehicle but then accelerated southbound on North Boardman Avenue. A chase ensued with Koljonens vehicle going into the south ditch on Highway 10 near New York Mills. Koljonen was physically removed from her vehicle.
Items located in the vehicle with an approximate value of $1,800 were traced to three Perham businesses. Nine other items were not connected to a specific business.
The fleeing charge carries a maximum penalty of three years and one day in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. The theft charge carries a maximum five year prison term and/or $10,000 fine. The driving after revocation charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Koljonen has had previous contact with law enforcement departments in Todd and Stearns counties. Otter Tail County court records indicate a DWI charge in Aug. 1994, a felony 5th degree controlled substance charge in Jan. 2004, and misdemeanor NSF charges from March 2004 through Jan. 2005.
Koljonen has requested a jury trial; a pre-trial hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. on May 26 and the trial is currently scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 1. She will be represented by a court appointed attorney.
