Man Arrested in Mille Lacs County After Police Chase That Started in Foley

BENTON COUNTY - A man was arrested in Mille Lacs County Monday morning after allegedly leading police on a chase that started in Foley.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office says the chase started at about 8:20 a.m. on Highway 23 in Foley. Police attempted to stop 31-year-old Derek Stirn of St. James for having a stolen truck from Dirtworks 2000 of Sauk Rapids.

When officers signaled for him to stop, he increased his speed and continued driving east to Mille Lacs County. Officers chased the pickup until it went off of the road just west of 130th Avenue into a corn field.

Law enforcement set up a perimeter and searched for Stirn with two K-9 units and a State Patrol helicopter. He was eventually found at about 11:55 a.m. hiding in a ditch nearby and arrested.

Officers also discovered the stolen pickup had an ATV, which was stolen from a home in Sauk Rapids.

Stirn was taken to Benton County Jail and is awaiting his first court appearance on charges of fleeing police in a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.

Anyone with information on this crime or suspect is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff's Office at 320-968-7201 or Tri County Crimestoppers at (800)-255-1301, or by texting TRITIP to 274637.