Man arrested after leading police on high-speed chase

Published 11:00 am Saturday, September 15, 2018

A man was arrested Friday night after he reportedly led authorities on a chase in a stolen car that started in Albert Lea and ended in a cornfield off of Interstate 35.

Brandon James Marquardt, 33, is being held in the Freeborn County jail on charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, fleeing in a motor vehicle and driving under the influence.

Albert Lea police stated evidence was also found in the vehicle that may tie him to other crimes.

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Marquardt, who was listed as homeless by police, was treated at Mayo Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea before being released to the jail.

He was arrested after officers were dispatched at 7:50 p.m. Friday to Walgreens, 703 E. Main St., for a report of a 2004 Buick LeSabre that had been taken from the business.

While taking the stolen vehicle report, another officer located the car a short distance away at McDonald’s at 609 E. Main St. Officers reportedly approached the car and spoke with the lone male driver in the car, who appeared to be intoxicated, police said. An open container of alcohol was on the passenger floor.

The man allegedly refused commands to unlock the car and rolled up the windows of the vehicle, before driving across the grass and westbound on Clark Street.

Officers pursued the car onto northbound Interstate 35 at a speed of 114 mph.

Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies joined the pursuit, which traveled into Steele County.

There, Steele County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed a tire deflation device near the Ellendale exit of the interstate, which spiked one of the tires.

The car then continued northbound between 70 and 80 mph, after which a deputy initiated a pursuit intervention technique maneuver on the car near mile marker 30. It then spun out of control into the center median.

Marquardt then reportedly fled across the interstate and into the cornfield west of the interstate, where he was captured a short time later by an Albert Lea officer.

Slight damage was reported to the Freeborn County squad and the stolen vehicle.

The Minnesota State Patrol also assisted on the scene.