By Patrick Tepoorten

A routine traffic stop on County Road 63 in Fish Lake Township became anything but routine for Chisago County Deputy Jason Foster last Thursday, when the driver of the car exited the vehicle while it was still moving.

Fortunately, there were passengers in the car who were able to bring the vehicle under control and pull over.

Foster first noticed the Mercury Sable because it did not show license plates front or rear. When he attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver attempted to flee, leading Foster on a short chase. The chase continued up County Road (CR) 63 before the vehicle careened sideways around a corner onto CR 62 heading north.

While traveling along CR-62 just after 10 a.m., the car slowed and the driver jumped out of the moving car and fled into the woods. He was later identified as Noah Fuhol Rawson, 33, of Cambridge.

Riding in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was Wayne Christopher Ferris, 32, of Burnsville, and he gained control of the vehicle and pulled it on to the shoulder. Ferris, who identified Rawson, was detained while Foster, other officers, and a K-9 unit attempted unsuccessfully to locate Rawson.

Found in the vehicle was a loaded .270 caliber Browning rifle. In the trunk was a portable deer stand of a kind similar to one reported stolen earlier in the week.

Later in the evening, around 6 p.m., Foster attempted by phone to locate Rawson by calling his mother. Soon after that phone call, Rawson called Foster and Foster identified a voice in the background as belonging to Christine Ann Bohen, 33, of North Branch, known by Foster to be Rawsonís girlfriend. Rawson told Foster on the phone that he intended to turn himself in, but would not do so immediately.

Foster proceeded to Bohenís address, where he was told Rawson had left minutes prior to his arrival. Bohen was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of methamphetamine.

The next afternoon at around 4:30, Rawson again called Foster, this time from the Isanti Co. courthouse and stated that he wanted to turn himself in. Foster proceeded to that location and Rawson was arrested without incident.

Rawson was booked at the Chisago County jail for felony fleeing a police officer; felony possession of weapons; theft, $501 - 2,500; and possession of methamphetamine.