A Southwest Minneapolis man has been charged with fleeing police in Minnetonka and telling officers that he ran because he’s on probation for another offense.
James Lee Norgaard III, 20, who lives in the 3700 block of Nicollet Avenue South, is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, a felony with a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, signed by Minnetonka Police Officer Samantha Johnson, Minnetonka officers were on routine patrol at County Road 73 and Interstate 394 on Aug. 25 when they spotted Norgaard’s car exceeding the speed limit.
Police activated their emergency lights and began pursuing Norgaard, who turned onto Fairfield Road and accelerated, then made an abrupt turn onto Willoughby Way, according to the complaint.
After the last turn, Norgaard’s car began to skid and his tires began squealing, and he crashed into a curb, according to police.
Police arrested Norgaard and taken to the Minnetonka police station, where he was questioned. Norgaard told officers that he fled because he is on probation and was “already in trouble,” according to the complaint.
Norgaard was convicted in May of felony car theft and sentenced to 10 days in jail, stayed for six months, and three years of probation. His criminal history includes a 2009 conviction for possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and a 2010 theft conviction, both when Norgaard was 17.
Norgaard remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $10,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled Sept. 18 in Hennepin County District Court.
