Stolen Vehicle Pursuit
Posted: 03/11/2024
Category: County Sheriff Press Release
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Case Number: 24003110
Date Reported: 3/8/2024 at 0709 hours
Incident: Stolen Vehicle Pursuit
Location: Joe's Gas and Deli, Brandon, MN
Suspect Information:
Christopher Shappell, age 34 of Monticello, MN
Case Details:
On March 8th 2024 at 0709 hours, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a report of a vehicle that had just been stolen while parked at Joe's Gas and Deli in Brandon. Prior to this vehicle being reported stolen, Alexandria Police Officers investigated a stolen vehicle report from Casey's gas station on South Broadway in Alexandria at 0634 hours. It was determined that the stolen vehicle from Alexandria had been abandoned in the Joe's Gas and Deli parking lot and the suspect then stole the second vehicle. Deputies were able to utilize a phone tracking app on the victim's cell phone which was still in the vehicle, and located the stolen car traveling northbound on County Road 6 near Leaf Valley. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle pursuit was terminated for safety reasons, but deputies continued to track the vehicle's location. Ottertail County Deputies located the stolen vehicle near Parkers Prairie and also pursued the vehicle. The stolen vehicle entered back into Douglas County and a MN State Trooper was able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device, which caused the suspect to lose control and enter the ditch. The suspect was taken into custody and identified as Christopher Shappell of Monticello, MN. Shappell is being held in the Douglas County Jail on charges for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle, and several outstanding warrants. Assisting agencies included the Alexandria Police Department, Ottertail County Sheriff's Office, Parkers Prairie Police Department, West Central MN Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Minnesota State Patrol
Officer: Sgt. Bob Peper, #225