ECM Post Review - High speed chase ends in multiple felonies

High speed chase ends in multiple felonies

By Patrick Tepoorten

A routine traffic stop in Rush City turned into a high speed chase at over 100 mph on Jan. 18, leading a sole Chisago County deputy deep into Kanabec County.

Michael Karl Harstad, 19, of Alexandria, had just dropped a friend at Rush City High School, at 8:05 a.m., when Chisago County Deputy Michelle LaLonde attempted to pull him over on a traffic violation. Harstad, driving on a suspended license, chose instead to speed away.

Entering onto I-35 north, Harstad proceeded to Rock Creek with LaLonde in pursuit, sometimes exceeding speeds of 100 mph along the way.

Harstad exited I-35 at Rock Creek and headed west on Hwy. 70, still driving at a high rate of speed. According to Cpt. Keith Hoppe, though Isanti County deputies were monitoring the situation as the pursuit headed west, LaLonde did not have any support vehicles during the chase.

Approaching Grasston, near the intersection of Hwy. 70 and Kanabec County Road 43, Harstad braked rapidly, and ended up behind LaLonde.

The chase was brought to a close shortly after when Harstad rammed LaLonde’s squad car from behind.

Harstad was taken into custody by LaLonde, and was later booked into the Chisago County jail not only on charges of driving with a suspended license, but also two felonies, including fleeing a police officer and fourth degree assault.

In addition, his vehicle was seized on a forfeiture.

As a result of the crash, LaLonde was treated for neck and back strain, but did not suffer any serious injuries.

Comments (7) add comment

Owen Connor: ...

Heroes Live Forever. Good job to Deputy LaLonde! A true show of bravery and dedication to the job!

January 24, 2008

R Flowers: ...

What was this terrible "routine traffic" violation that required an officer to chase someone at speeds of 100 mph and endangering others on the roadways? Thank God no one got in their way. These dangerous chases has got to stop.

January 27, 2008

K: ...

R Flowers, Imagine for a moment if the officer did not try and stop the car and as you are entering an intersection, the bad guy plows into your car or one of your loved ones? You would still complain that an offier was doing the wrong thing and should have tried to stop the bad guy to prevent a tragedy. There are too many arm chair quarterbacks when it comes to people working in public service and those people that choose to tell them how to do their job. Maybe there was an underlying motive for the bad guy to flee that the officer did not know. There are a lot of what if's? What if the bad guy had just committed a felony or crime of violence that had yet to be reported? I am sure you would not want an officer to chase someone after they burglarized your home and you were at work and did not know it. Or how about a stolen vehicle that has yet to be reported, it happens. I would like to know what you do for work so I could tell you how to do your job.

January 29, 2008

P Johnson: ...

R Flowers, so if anyone runs from the police then the police should just let them go? how stupid.

January 30, 2008

L.Metz: ...

K:..., ok so if the police person would have smashed into someone your ok with that.just doing thier job.K:.. let me ask what if she was just pulling this person over to tell them they have a burnt out tail light.Look im not tring to make the police look like the bad guys here butt they are here to protect and serve right, how does chasing some one at 100mph protect use?As a tax payer i think we have every right to Qestion and play armchair quarterback.With that said ,when a police person is pulling you over ,pull over have some respect for the police.By the way i am a custodial maintenance person for a school district and any one who lives in the community has input.By the way what do you do for work?

January 30, 2008

K: ...

L. Metz, let's think outside the box for a minute. You question my comments or viewpoint on police pursuits. Sometimes things in the media can get distorted, without intent and yes, even media can make mistakes (they are human) by calling this a "routine" traffic stop. There is no such thing as "Routine" when it comes to Law Enforcement and their job. I am guessing the officer was attempting a traffic stop for what would appear to be a "routine" traffic violation. Now the violator has essentially two options, pull over and stop like every reasonable person would or take off like an idiot. Once that violator decides to flee, he has now created a potentially dangerous situation in which I feel, the Deputy needs to respond by attempting to stop the vehicle, much like P. Johnson indicated in his comment. If people know that if they run from the police they will get away because the police will not catch them, how would that sit with society? If you look a little closer to my post, you will see other reasons why the officer would possibly continue a pursuit. This is undoubtedly a topic that could be debated both ways, but for someone to sit back and second guess an officer for doing their job is not fair to that officer, their department or law enforcement officers around the area. L. Metz, I will not tell you how to sweep the floor, how to wax it or how to empty a garbage can. I will not even tell you what kind of mop bucket to purchase or janitorial supplies. I am sure you are very good at your profession and I also pay taxes which is part of your wages in the school district and I am sure my money is being spent wisely.

February 05, 2008

L.Metz: ...

k:.. I agree with every thing in your post except,where you are telling me not to second guess an officer.If an officer tells me the sky is yellow i am to with out thought agree.I think the police do a thank less job. Are they always right? probly 99% of the time.I am not bashing the police in any way here. Fair our not fair every body is juded.By the way are you a polce officer?

February 11, 2008

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