St. Cloud Man Has Fleeing Sentence Stayed

MILACA -- A St. Cloud man who pleaded guilty to leading authorities on a high-speed chase in Princeton last February has had his prison sentence stayed as long as he abides by the rules of his probation.

Forty-four-year-old Joseph Evers could serve a year in prison if he violates the conditions set forth by a Mille Lacs County judge.

Court records indicate a Princeton police officer spotted a suspicious vehicle on February 11th which may have been involved in a burglary attempt. The officer attempted a traffic stop after noticing the van fail to make a complete stop. The officer then activated his emergency lights and sirens.

Records show the van accelerated and headed southbound on Highway 169 with the officer in pursuit. According to the criminal complaint, the van failed to stop at multiple red lights and pass through intersections at speeds of up to 90 miles-per-hour. Multiple law enforcement agencies joined in the pursuit and a Pursuit Interruption Technique was deployed to spin out the rear of the van and get it to stop.

Officers arrested Evers on fleeing police, obstructing legal process and reckless driving.

Evers pleaded guilty to a felony charge of fleeing police. Obstruction and reckless driving charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.