FOUR TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER MULTI-COUNTY HIGH-SPEED CHASE

The Watonwan and Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Offices are investigating after a high-speed chase Tuesday night.  Authorities say that around 11:30 pm, Cottonwood County deputies starting to pursue a silver Ford Explorer  on Highway 60 near Madelia.  Deputies then stopped the chase due to high speeds and rain.  Watonwan County deputies then started to follow the vehicle with speeds reaching over 100 miles per hour.  There were multiple failed attempts to deploy stop sticks.  The pursuit entered Blue Earth County, went south on Highway 169 and then went onto several county roads.  Stop sticks were successfully deployed when the chase re-entered 169 near County Road 33.  Deputies boxed the vehicle in by the Veterans Memorial Bridge around 12:30 am and four people  were taken into custody without incident.  One person was taken to a hospital for evaluation.  The chase started after a reported theft at a gas station in Windom.  Officers discovered that some individuals had outstanding warrants.   A few deputies’ vehicles sustained damage.   Windom, Madelia and Mountain Lake Police departments, Cottonwood, Watonwan and Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Departments and the state patrol all assisted in the incident.  No names have been released.