DETROIT LAKES, Minn. - A Waubun man is facing a felony charge in Becker County District Court of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle after he allegedly led police on a chase reaching 100 mph.
Michael Gene Weaver, 42, is also facing a misdemeanor theft charge in connection with the Aug. 3 incident that started in the parking lot at Walmart in Detroit Lakes.
According to the criminal complaint, a theft was reported by the staff at Walmart, and a suspect vehicle was identified. An officer spotted the suspect vehicle parked in the lot at Walmart, and noted that the vehicle was "nearly full" with groceries, which had been covered with a cloth.
Authorities say the officer repeatedly asked Weaver, the driver, to get out of the car, which he refused to do. He then allegedly started up the vehicle despite being told by the officer that he was not free to leave, then left the parking lot.
After proceeding east on Highway 10, Weaver then reportedly turned north onto Highway 59 and accelerated rapidly. A high speed chase ensued, involving several officers and reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, according to the complaint.
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Weaver allegedly drove around some stop sticks placed on the road at the Highway 59/153 intersection, and the chase continued until his vehicle was reportedly forced to a stop at the powwow grounds in White Earth.
Inside the suspect vehicle, officers say they recovered about 70 items, all of them having been reported stolen from Walmart. The value of the stolen items was estimated at about $394.
According to the complaint, Weaver apologized repeatedly for fleeing the scene.
