Shots Fired by Freeborn Deputy Halts Wild Chase
Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News) - Shots were fired yesterday by Freeborn County Deputy Sheriff involved in a high-speed chase that ended with an attempted carjacking along a highway near a northern Iowa casino.
A news release issued by the Albert Lea Police Department says the deputy fired several shots through the windshield of his squad car after the subject of pursuit stopped along a highway in Worth County and attempted to steal a car from a 20-year-old woman who had pulled over on the shoulder. The suspect reacted by dropping to the ground and surrendering to the law officers at the scene. Officials noted the man, later identified as 30-year-old Ryan Amabile of St. Paul had earlier displayed a handgun outside the window of his vehicle while he was being chased.
The pursuit began in Albert Lea around 3:50 PM when police officers were sent to a grocery store parking lot to investigate a report of a man passed out in a vehicle. When the officers made contact with the man he appeared intoxicated and initially complied with a request to shut-off the engine but then started the Jeep and sped away across some landscaping and struck a vehicle. Speeds during the following chase topped 100 miles-per-hour and officials say Amabile made intention contact with an Albert Lea squad car. He is also accused of aiming the Jeep at a deputy who was outside his squad car after deploying a tire deflation device.
After the chase finally ended around 5 PM with the attempted carjacking, it was learned Amabile was wanted on several felony warrants. The news release also states the Jeep had been reported stolen in St. Louis Park and drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held in the Worth County Jail.