By Patrick Tepoorten

Much has been made in recent months about the risks of participating in online friendsí groups such as Myspace.com. But an attempted kidnapping in Chisago County on Aug. 30 illustrates that there is no such thing as a ìsafeî internet.

Safe is likely how an Isanti woman felt when she agreed to set up a date with Ryan William Pageau, 32, of Forest Lake. After all, according to a criminal complaint against Pageau, they met at a Web site called Match.com, which bills itself as a highly reputable dating service. The site even includes daily advice from Dr. Phil McGraw, who is famous for his television advice show, ìDr. Phil.î

The victim told investigators that she and Pageau communicated regularly online for two and a half months before she agreed to meet with him at a Forest Lake bar.

Yet, even after using a renowned service and spending months getting to know Pageau, the illusion of safety was soon shattered the night they met.

The victim first became concerned after a dinner in Forest Lake led to the Stacy Municipal bar. She believed that Pageau had too much alcohol to be driving, and attempted to call a friend from the bar restroom.

Pageau was refused service at the bar after a bartender noted Pageau appeared ìobviously intoxicated.î

The victim told Pageau that he was too drunk to drive in the parking lot of the bar, turned her back on him, and began to walk away.

Grabbing her from behind, Pageau allegedly pulled her into the car and put his hands around her throat. The victim recalls hearing a witness in the parking lot yell ìhey, hey, hey,î to which Pageau responded that everything was fine. The victimís plea to the contrary went unheard.

Pageau was observed a short time later weaving down Forest Blvd., near Wyoming, and was pulled over. As the Wyoming police officer approached the vehicle, Pageau sped away.

He would repeat that maneuver one more time before bursting through a fence and careening onto northbound Interstate 35, causing an accident that put a motorcyclist in the hospital with a broken leg and left the victim unconscious in her car.

According to police reports, the victim later told police that on both occasions Pageau feigned cooperation and pulled over she attempted to exit the vehicle, only to be thwarted by Pageau. Also thwarted was her attempt to call 911 on her cell phone.

During the chase, Pageau repeatedly threatened the victim, telling her to shut-up, saying, ìIf you say anything I will (expletive deleted) kill you.î

Pageau escaped on foot that night, but turned himself in to the Chisago County jail the next day. He is facing multiple charges for his conduct, including six felonies.

Kidnapping is the most serious of the charges with a possible 20 years in prison and/or $35,000 fine. More charges include false imprisonment (three years, $5,000), making terroristic threats (five years, $10,000), two counts of criminal vehicular operation (three years, $10,000 each), and fleeing a police officer (five years, $10,000). He is also charged with second degree DWI and interfering with an emergency call. Both are gross misdemeanors.

Pageau is expected to appear in Chisago County court on Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m. for an omnibus hearing.

According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehensionís (BCA) criminal history database, available to the public online, Pageau has seven criminal convictions in the last 12 years.

That includes four felonies for various drug violations and fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. He has also been convicted of fleeing law enforcement and DWI.

The BCAís criminal history search can be accessed at https://cch.state.mn.us/Common/BCAHome.aspx.

Although it is only complete to the level that jurisdictions have submitted information, it includes records of criminal behavior in Minnesota.