2 felony charges for man who led cops on chase

Published 10:22 pm Tuesday, January 30, 2018

An Albert Lea man who reportedly led officers on a vehicle chase in a stolen car was charged with two felonies Monday in Freeborn County District Court.

Shawn Michael Miller

Shawn Michael Miller, 30, is charged with felony receiving stolen property, felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor fifth-degree controlled substance possession, misdemeanor driving after revocation and petty misdemeanor possessing drug paraphernalia.

Court documents state Miller was charged after Albert Lea police officers were notified Friday that a Chevy pickup was being followed by private citizens who believed the vehicle might have been stolen.

Email newsletter signup

The vehicle reportedly headed west on Clark Street before heading north on Minnesota Highway 13, and an Albert Lea detective headed west on Clark Street, activating his warning lights at approximately the intersection of First Avenue and Clark Street.

At one point in the chase, the vehicle accelerated north on Cedar Avenue in the opposite lane of traffic, traveling around a vehicle that was heading south on Cedar Avenue.

Court documents state the vehicle stopped south of the intersection of Sunset and Cedar avenues.

An officer reportedly found a plastic baggie in Miller’s pocket recognized as possible drug paraphernalia, along with a marijuana pipe with burnt residue.

A glass pipe with white residue in Miller’s back pocket tested positive for methamphetamine, and a marijuana grinder was found in Miller’s truck. 

Court documents state the vehicle was reported stolen in December from a city lot behind an Albert Lea bar.

Miller allegedly said he bought the vehicle two weeks ago from another person and admitted he fled officers because he did not have a valid driver’s license and was violating probation by possessing the pipe.

Miller reportedly has six driving after withdrawals since 2013.

His next court appearance is scheduled Feb. 8.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

email author More by Sam