A sworn officers of the Stearns County Sheriff's Office duly states the following facts establish PROBABLE CAUSE: On or about April 4, 2025, at approximately 6:24PM, Deputy Cole Thoma, while on routine patrol, was traveling eastbound on County Road 75, City of Waite Park, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, when he observed a silver 2015 Ford Taurus bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED] with very dark window tint. Based on Deputy Thoma's training and experience, he believed that the window tint was under the legal percentage limit of 50% or more.
As the vehicle passed, Deputy Thoma ran the license plate. The records check showed an alert that the vehicle's registered owner, identified as Joshua Allen Martin, [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein, had a [DL# REDACTED] of canceled-inimical to public safety. Deputy Thoma begin to follow the vehicle and observed it to make an improper lane change. Deputy Thoma activated his rear emergency lights. The vehicle greatly increased its speed in a very short distance. Deputy Thoma turned on his squad's emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.
The vehicle turned into Goodwill's parking lot, located at 50 2nd Avenue South, City of Waite Park, but did not immediately stop. Deputy Thoma activated his squad's emergency siren. The vehicle continued to drive, eventually pulling into 32 2nd Avenue South, City of Waite Park. After parking, the male driver exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot, ignoring Deputy Thoma's demands to stop. After chasing him several blocks, Deputy Thoma ultimately caught up with the male driver and placed him under arrest.
Deputy Thoma identified him as the Defendant. The Defendant admitted that the only reason he fled was because of his license status. Upon conducting further investigation into the Defendant's [DL# REDACTED], Deputy Thoma found that it was canceled-inimical to public safety as of December 2, 2024, and has not been reinstated as of April 4, 2025. The Defendant knew of his [DL# REDACTED]. Complainant has reason to believe and does believe that all above information is true and correct. The above facts constitute the complainant's basis for believing that the above-named defendant, on or about April 4, 2025, in the City of Waite Park, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, committed the described offenses herein.
