By: Alex Evans
GILBERT, Minn. – A man led the Chief of Gilbert Police on a miles-long ATV chase that began at the Minorca Mines, charges allege.
Reports of a copper-wire theft at the Cliffs Minorca Mine on Tuesday led to a 10-mile ATV chase, involving the suspect and Gilbert Police Chief of Police Ty Techar, according to a criminal complaint. Patrick William Shutte, 52, is accused of stealing “several thousand dollars” of copper from the Minorca Mine and then fleeing Chief Techar, who was there to investigate.
According to the complaint, the owner of the Minorca Mine called police at around 4:14 p.m. to report an ATV trespassing on the property. Earlier in the day, the owner had reported thousands of dollars in copper wire had been stolen, “and additional copper wiring was stolen from a Minnesota Power substation on Minorca Mine property.”
An officer at the scene reportedly “located 200-300 feet of copper wire that had been dragged from the property and hidden in brush.”
Chief Techar reported that when he arrived at the scene, around 4:20 p.m., he observed a man on a red colored ATV, later identified as Shutte, driving on the property. When Techar activated the lights on his ATV, Shutte fled the area.
During the ensuing chase, Techar reportedly “observed large pieces of copper wire, which were consistent with the wire taken from Minorca Mine, that fell off of the ATV, as well as a sawzall.” He also said that Shutte ran through two fences, causing damage, during the pursuit.
Shutte allegedly fled “for nearly 10 miles, at which point the red ATV became disabled,” according to the complaint. Chief Techar took Shutte into custody and transported him to the Virginia Jail for questioning.
During a post-Miranda interview, Shutte reportedly said he drank a “big can of Twisted Tea,” and had “recently used methamphetamine.”
Shutte is charged with four felony counts for theft, first-degree damage to property, possession of burglary tools, and fleeing police in a motor vehicle. He is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree damage to property and driving while under the influence. He could face a maximum possible sentence of around 16 and a half years in prison.
The Twin Ports Report 