Pelican Rapids Man Faces Meth, Fleeing Charges

Pelican Rapids (trfnews.i234.me) — A Pelican Rapids man faces three charges after an August 3 incident in Otter Tail County.

Hamza Mohamed Ali is charged with felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession.

He also faces misdemeanor charges for fleeing an officer on foot and obstructing the legal process.

Dispute Reported at Pelican Rapids Home

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a Pelican Rapids residence after a reported disturbance.

A resident identified as JS told police Ali arrived at the home with another person.

After that person left, JS told Ali that he wanted him to leave.

The complaint alleges Ali refused and became agitated.

JS told police Ali appeared to be trying to start a fight.

Two other people later arrived and also told Ali to leave, court records state.

One person alleged Ali moved toward her as if he might strike her.

Ali eventually left the residence.

Police later located Ali at a nearby park.

Ali said he had arrived at the residence with another person and expected that person to return.

He told police that JS had threatened him while he was at the home.

Ali denied arguing with the other people there, according to the complaint.

Police then asked Ali for identification.

The complaint says Ali stated he had no identification and claimed he did not know his own name.

When police told him he was being detained, Ali allegedly began walking away.

Authorities say he then ran after being ordered to stop.

The complaint alleges Ali continued running for several blocks before stopping.

Ali was taken into custody without a Taser being fired, according to the complaint.

Police initially found a clear glass pipe on him.

His property was searched again after he arrived at the detention facility.

Authorities allegedly found aluminum foil and a folded paper containing a crystalline substance.

The substance weighed about 0.3 grams and field tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine.

Ali now faces a felony drug charge carrying up to five years in prison.

The complaint also lists a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Each misdemeanor charge carries up to 90 days in jail and a possible $1,000 fine.

The state’s fleeing statute and obstruction law are also available online.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The case is filed under Otter Tail County court file number 56-CR-26-1902.

The charges and supporting statements are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Ali is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.