Assault, chase lead to felony charges against Bemidji man
A 56-year-old Bemidji man is in jail after a high-speed chase Saturday morning.
Ricky Lee Lidel could face charges of second-degree assault and fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle, both felonies, along with fleeing officers while on foot and driving after revocation.
According to a news release issued Monday by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office:
Sheriff's deputies received a call at 9:16 a.m. about an assault with a knife at a home on Melby Lane in Wilton.
The assault victim sustained a broken nose in a violent encounter with Lidel, who threatened to stab the person with a knife, at the victim's home.
After receiving the call, deputies spotted a silver Grand Am, described by the victim, and attempted to stop Lidel.
However, Lidel drove east on the U.S. Highway 2 bypass from Division Street, leading authorities on a pursuit that reached speeds exceeding 100 Mph. Lidel stopped the car on Highway 2 and attempted to flee on foot when deputies arrested him.
The case has been referred to prosecutors to review charges stemming from the incident.