On January 24, 2026, at approximately 8:00 A.M., Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Rausch was dispatched to an unwanted person call in the City of Waverly, Wright County, Minnesota. Caller CM reported that her son, Joshua Thomas Moist, 02 18 84, hereinafter defendant, was at her residence and he was not wanted there. CM also reported that the defendant arrived at her residence driving a yellow school bus which displayed “Metro College Prep” on the side. Upon his arrival, Deputy Rausch learned that the defendant had already left the scene driving the school bus.
Preliminary investigation revealed that it was likely that the school bus was stolen out of the City of Minneapolis. A short time later, Deputy Marschel located the school bus at the Marathon gas station located in the City of Howard Lake. While driving into the parking lot, Deputy Marshel observed the defendant (known to Deputy Marschel through previous contacts) exit the gas station and enter the school bus. The defendant started the bus and began traveling westbound on Highway 12. Deputy Marschel followed while waiting for other units to arrive and assist.
The defendant turned off of Highway 12 onto a gravel road (Kilbury Avenue, located in Wright County, Minnesota) and Deputy Marschel activated the overhead lights on the marked squad. The defendant refused to stop and continued driving. Other marked Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy squads joined in the pursuit with lights and sirens activated. Eventually, the defendant began driving west on County Road 30 and the decision was made to terminate the pursuit in the interests of public safety.
