Two arrested in traffic stop turned pursuit in Moorhead

Photo by: Clay County Jail
Photo by: Clay County Jail

(Moorhead, MN) -- Two men are in custody after a traffic stop turned into a high speed chase early Sunday morning in Moorhead.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says at approximately 3:37 a.m, a Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 4000 block of 60th Avenue South. The driver of the vehicle did not stop for the deputy and a pursuit was initiated. The driver continued eastbound on 60th Avenue South with speeds reaching 80 mph. The driver then drove down a dead-end road where the vehicle became stuck near I-94.

The driver fled from the vehicle on foot. A police K9 was brought to the scene to attempt to locate the driver, but they were unsuccessful.

A passenger in the vehicle moved to the driver's seat and attempted to free the stuck vehicle. This passenger was known to deputies as 36-year-old Martin Torres Jr, from Moorhead. Torres refused to comply with deputy’s commands and continued to try and free the stuck vehicle. A K9 from the Sheriff’s Office was used, but Torres continued to resist and continued to try and remove the stuck vehicle. A deputy then deployed his Tazer. After the Tazer went through the five second cycle, Torres fled the vehicle on foot. The K9 was sent to apprehend Torres and was successful, but Torres continued to resist the K9 and deputies. At one point during the struggle, Torres was grabbing the K9 in the neck area, close to his windpipe. Other deputies arrived on scene, and they were ultimately able to secure Torres in handcuffs.

During a search of Torres, a handgun was found on his person and taken into our custody. The driver of the vehicle was not located that morning, but the sheriff's office will be requesting a long form complaint for Felony Fleeing a Police Office in a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing on Foot, Reckless Driving, and other traffic violations Torres is currently being held in the Clay County Correctional Center for Felony Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Felony Prohibited Person Possessing a Firearm, Felony Prohibited Person Possession Ammunition, Felony Altering the Serial Number of Firearm, Gross Misdemeanor Carrying a Weapon without a Permit, Gross Misdemeanor Obstructing the Legal Process, Misdemeanor Harming a Public Safety Dog, and Misdemeanor Fleeing on Foot. Torres also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for Fleeing Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle and Weapons violations.

A Clay County Deputy received minor injuries during the incident. He did not need to seek any medical treatment for those injuries.

Another passenger in the vehicle was identified as 37-year-old Sidney Monette, from Fargo. He was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Correctional Center for an outstanding warrant.

The Moorhead Police Department and Glyndon Police Department assisted the Sheriff’s Office as well in the pursuit.