Bail was set at $20,000 Friday for a man police say stole a pickup and led them on a chase that ended in the Red River.
David Carl Berlin, 39, Fargo, was charged in Clay County District Court with four counts of felony criminal vehicular operation, felony receiving stolen property and misdemeanor third degree DWI and reckless driving.
The maximum sentence for receiving stolen property is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Berlin sold the 1986 Toyota pickup used in the Wednesday chase to Buy Rite Auto at 2350 Main Ave. on Tuesday and then tried to "reclaim" it the next day, according to court documents.
He was told to come back Monday and buy it, but used a spare key to steal the vehicle, the records say. Then he drove the truck to his girlfriend's apartment on the 1000 block of Fifth Street North, rammed into her car and led Fargo and Moorhead police on a chase through both cities, police said.
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He left the road at Park View Terrace Apartments at 100 3rd St. N., ditched his vehicle and jumped into the river.
Firefighters used a boat and eventually were able to drag him in.
When arguing bail, Assistant Clay County Attorney Ken Koehler said the suspect has a criminal record going back to 1987, including two forgery charges and aggravated assault, robbery and a theft of a automobile charges.
Berlin will appear in court again in the next 28 days. A date has not been set.
Michael Hughes was assigned as Berlin's public defender.
Berlin remained in the Clay County Jail Friday night.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Baird at (701) 241-5535
