Grand Forks, ND (trfnews.i234.me)—A 65-year-old Grand Forks man, Joseph Jerome Stauss, has been charged with felony terrorizing after he allegedly chased a group of juveniles with a wooden object, causing them to drive into a ditch.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, just before 9:00 p.m., on Duke Drive, when police responded to a report of juveniles stuck off the road after being pursued by Stauss.
How It Unfolded:
- Stauss claimed he was at his girlfriend’s house when he noticed a car outside his residence and believed the occupants were taking pictures of his home.
- Upon approaching the vehicle, he realized they were juveniles, and as he got closer, they drove off.
- Stauss then got into his pickup truck and chased them, attempting to get a license plate number.
- He caught up to them, demanded they pull over, but the juveniles continued to drive away in fear.
- The chase ended on Duke Drive, where the juveniles drove into a ditch after Stauss allegedly cut them off.
Juveniles’ Account:
- The juveniles reported that they had stopped on the street to take a group photo for the Super Bowl when Stauss came out of his house, prompting them to drive away.
- They realized they were being followed and became afraid, leading to the crash.
- They also alleged that Stauss got out of his vehicle holding a wooden object over his shoulder in a threatening manner while approaching them.
- The officer observed that some of the juveniles were crying and visibly shaken when police arrived.
Police Investigation and Arrest:
- Bodycam footage and witness statements corroborated that Stauss had tailgated and attempted to cut the juveniles off multiple times.
- The officer located a piece of wood under the back seat of Stauss’s vehicle, which matched the juveniles’ description of the weapon.
- Stauss admitted to following the juveniles, stating they “made the mistake” of driving by his home.
- He initially denied having a bat or weapon, but later admitted to having a 2×4 in his vehicle and carrying it while approaching the juveniles.
Charges Against Stauss:
- Felony Terrorizing – for allegedly threatening the juveniles with a wooden object and causing them to fear for their safety.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps:
- If convicted, Stauss could face serious penalties, including prison time and fines under North Dakota’s felony terrorizing laws.
- He remains in custody as the investigation continues, and court proceedings are pending.
Community Impact:
This incident has raised concerns about escalating confrontations and vigilante behavior, highlighting the importance of de-escalation and contacting law enforcement instead of taking matters into one’s own hands.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing case.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me