Police named two people arrested Wednesday under suspicion of drug trafficking after a two-hour stakeout at Fargo's West Acres 14 cinema.
Judy Tyson, 32, and Kelly Barfield, 29, both of Fargo, gave themselves up a little after midnight, said Fargo Lt. Tod Dahle.
The married couple had about an ounce of methamphetamine on them at the time of their arrest, Dahle said.
The incident began about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday when Fargo police officers and Cass County deputies tried to corner the suspects in the West Acres parking lot, he said.
The suspects rammed their vehicle into both Fargo and Cass County squad cars before leaving the parking lot, heading to West Acres cinema and going inside, he said.
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Dahle said police suspected the man of having a weapon and believed him to be dangerous based on his earlier behavior.
Because of this, he said the Red River Valley SWAT team was called out as well as numerous officers from Fargo, Cass County and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
"You're trying to surround a sizeable building with a number of different entrances," Dahle said.
Police said they told theater employees about the situation, but didn't search the building while moviegoers were inside.
After the suspects left the building and were arrested, officers searched the building for drugs and a possible weapon. They didn't find either, Dahle said.
The suspects will probably be charged Friday in Cass County District Court for extensive property destruction, the Cass County State's Attorney's office said Wednesday.
After arresting Barfield, police took him to MeritCare Hospital because he's a diabetic, Dahle said.
Both individuals had BCI warrants out for their arrest -- Tyson for probation violation and Barfield for driving under suspension and failing to appear in court, he said.
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But the BCI's primary investigation into the couple concerned suspected drug activity, Dahle said.
A representative from the BCI declined to comment on the matter. Instead, he referred The Forum to an assistant state's attorney who was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Lisa Schneider at (701) 241-5529
