Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake man faces two charges after a reported hit-and-run, a traffic stop, and a struggle with officers on April 9, according to a criminal complaint.
Alex Cody Gould, 38, of Bena, was charged in Minnesota District Court in Cass County. The case includes one gross misdemeanor count and one misdemeanor count.
Charges Filed In Cass County
The first charge accuses Gould of obstructing legal process with force. That charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.50.
The second charge accuses him of leaving the scene after a collision with an occupied vehicle. That charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 169.09.
According to the complaint, officers were first called at about 5:07 p.m. after a report of a domestic argument. The filing says Gould had been drinking and made suicidal comments before leaving in a GMC Envoy.
Authorities then searched in the Bena and Cass Lake areas. At about 9:16 p.m., an officer found the vehicle on Highway 371, south of Cass Lake, the complaint says.
The complaint says the SUV revved its engine and made a hard turn onto 4th Street North. Investigators believed the move was an effort to avoid a stop.
Arrest And Hospital Allegations
After the stop, the complaint says Gould appeared upset and did not follow orders to stay inside the vehicle. The filing says he opened the door into an officer and was then arrested.
While officers tried to handcuff him, Gould allegedly stiffened his body and pulled away. The complaint also says he made statements telling officers they should have killed him.
Authorities then took Gould to a health facility in Cass Lake. The complaint says staff refused further treatment because of his behavior.
He was later taken to Bemidji Medical Center. There, the complaint says he became combative again while being moved to an exam room.
Investigators allege Gould tried to headbutt and kick officers and was later cleared and taken to jail.
Casino Parking Lot Crash Claim
The complaint also details a reported hit-and-run at about 9 p.m. that night in the Northern Lights Casino parking lot.
Investigators reviewed security video, according to the filing. They say the video showed a dark SUV park next to another vehicle, then swipe that vehicle while backing out.
The complaint says the other driver, identified only as LB, was still inside her vehicle when it was hit. Investigators say the SUV then left at a high rate of speed.
When Gould was later found, deputies saw damage on the front driver’s side of the SUV, according to the complaint. The filing says that damage matched the crash seen on video.
Case Status
The charges are allegations, and Gould is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The complaint was filed in Cass County’s 9th Judicial District.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
