Vernon Paul Spoden

Reporting party advised dispatch that the red Subaru was swerving in it’s lane, had run through several red lights, and was traveling east on Highway 10 near Proctor Avenue. Reporting party informed dispatch that he was following the vehicle. While monitoring traffic on Proctor Avenue and Highway 10 in Sherburne County, MN, Sergeant Welsh observed the red Subaru pass his location, with a black vehicle following it. The driver of the black vehicle was waiving erratically at Sergeant Welsh as they passed his location.

Sergeant Welsh then observed the red Subaru make a right turn on 5th Street NW and increase speed. Sergeant Welsh followed the vehicle and observed it to fail to stop at stop sign on 4th Street. Sergeant Welsh then initiated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The red Subaru continued to travel on 4th Street before making an abrupt left turn onto Oxford Ave and increasing speed. The red Subaru then attempted to make a right hand turn back onto 5th Avenue, hit the curb at a fast speed, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway before hitting a grassy area and stopping.

Sergeant Welsh pulled behind the vehicle and observed a white male immediately exit the vehicle and begin running east away from law enforcement. Sergeant Welsh noted that the male was stumbling and leaning while attempting to run and at one point fell face first onto the road and appeared to be intoxicated. Sergeant Welsh continued to pursue the driver, while Officer Norberg stayed with the Subaru. Officer Norberg noted that she attempted to turn the Subaru off and witnessed in plain sight an open can of beer located in the center consol and drug paraphernalia in the ash tray.

A probable cause search was conducted and Officer Norberg located approximately $2,000 in a Nintendo Switch case and a sandwich baggie filled with a white crystal-like substance under the driver’s seat. While Sergeant Welsh was pursing the driver he located him hiding under a deck at a residence on 5th Street. The driver eventually complied and came out from under the deck and was placed in handcuffs. Sergeant Welsh identified the driver as VERNON PAUL SPODEN, [DOB REDACTED] [hereinafter defendant]. Sergeant Welsh confirmed that the defendant was cancelled-IPS, was required to have ignition interlock in his vehicle, and had an active felony warrant.

Sergeant Welsh noted that he smelt a strong odor of alcohol coming from the defendant as the defendant informed law enforcement he was in pain. The defendant was then transported to the hospital. Law enforcement applied for and was granted a search warrant for the defendant’s blood or urine and at 3:20 am attempted to execute that warrant, however defendant refused to answer law enforcement. Law enforcement attempted for approximately 20 minutes to execute the warrant and the defendant continued to ignore law enforcement.