Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me) — An Erhard man is facing two charges after an early morning chase involving a Polaris Ranger in Otter Tail County.
According to a criminal complaint, Justin Allen Sheridan, 44, of Erhard, was charged with felony fleeing in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor tampering with a motor vehicle. The charges were filed in Minnesota District Court.
What the complaint says
Court records say the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office received a report at about 2:28 a.m. on April 10, 2026. A family member reported that Sheridan had taken a Polaris Ranger from her garage.
The complaint says Sheridan did not have a valid driver’s license at the time. Deputies then responded to the area and spotted a man driving a Polaris Ranger on a county highway.
Authorities say a deputy tried to stop the vehicle. The complaint says the driver did not stop. Instead, he kept going and turned onto a U.S. highway.
According to the complaint, the driver did not stop at a stop sign. He also did not signal the turn. The complaint says the Polaris then traveled on the shoulder of the opposite lane.
After the squad siren was activated, the complaint says the driver went into the ditch and kept moving. The reported speeds were between 45 and 50 miles per hour.
Arrest and evidence
The complaint says the Polaris stopped at about 3:33 a.m. The driver then put both hands out of the window. Authorities arrested the driver and identified him as Sheridan.
Investigators also found damage to the vehicle’s ignition, according to the complaint. A bent fork was jammed into the ignition. The complaint says it appeared the fork had been used to start the Polaris.
Sheridan allegedly told authorities the vehicle belonged to the reporting party. He also said he first thought the vehicle behind him belonged to his girlfriend. He later claimed he did not see emergency lights right away and was trying to get off the road.
Charges filed
The felony fleeing charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.487. The tampering charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.546.
The complaint also states Sheridan has another pending case in Wilkin County. That case involves an alleged theft by false representation.
All charges in this case are allegations. Sheridan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.