Polk County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — An Oklahoma man has been charged in Polk County District Court after leading law enforcement on a dangerous, high-speed chase spanning multiple Minnesota counties on Monday morning. The incident ended near Crookston when the suspect, who was armed with two loaded handguns, was shot by an officer after placing a weapon to his head.
The suspect, Caleb Ryan Coffey, 34, of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He was treated at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks for a gunshot wound to the leg and later booked into the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident began at approximately 9:33 a.m. on April 7, when a Marshall County deputy was alerted by U.S. Border Patrol that Coffey had allegedly attempted to cross the border into Canada before fleeing into Minnesota. Coffey’s 2011 Cadillac SRX was clocked at speeds reaching 120 mph, with deputies chasing him through Oslo, Warren, Euclid, and eventually Crookston.
Throughout the pursuit, Coffey swerved toward officers, evaded multiple stop-strip attempts, and endangered public safety by racing through downtown Crookston and rural highways.
The chase ended on Polk County Road 9, where Coffey’s vehicle went into a ditch. After trying to get back on the road, a squad car disabled his vehicle. Coffey then exited the car armed, placed a gun to his head, and was shot in the leg after refusing repeated commands to disarm. Officers recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and a holstered .40-caliber handgun.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Public Help Needed:
Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman is requesting assistance from anyone who may have encountered the black Cadillac SRX during the chase, between 9:40 and 10:10 a.m. Monday, particularly on the following routes:
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CR 20 (Marshall/Polk County line to CR 21)
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CR 21 (Sherack to U.S. Highway 75)
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U.S. Highway 75 (CR 21 to U.S. Highway 2)
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U.S. Highway 2 (near University of Minnesota Crookston)
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City of Crookston roadways
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CR 9 (KT Road) (Crookston to CR 16)
If you were put in harm’s way or witnessed any part of the pursuit, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at 218-281-0431.
Did you know?
In Minnesota, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is a felony—punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine—even before factoring in weapons possession and endangerment to public safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News