Police pursuit ends with multiple charges

A wanted man led law enforcement officials on a chase through two counties last month, before being apprehended and allegedly found in possession of both methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Robert William Pladson, 53, of Eagle Bend, Minnesota, was charged April 14 in Sixth District Carlton County Court with two counts of first-degree felony drug possession, for allegedly possessing 25 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was also charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint:

On April 12, deputies at the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Drug Task Force Investigators to look out for a white Lincoln MKZ with license plate LLF750. The vehicle was being driven by Pladson, who had warrants for his arrest from a robbery case. Deputies were advised that Pladson was a high-risk person who was potentially dangerous and potentially armed with a pistol.

Two days after being advised about Pladson, on April 14 deputies observed the vehicle being driven on Highway 61 in Carlton County. After running the plate, the deputies discovered the safety alert was still active.

Deputies followed Pladson and observed him stopping at a gas station, getting out of his vehicle, and filling the car with fuel. Deputies followed after Pladson got back into his vehicle and started driving again, turning southbound onto Interstate 35.

Meanwhile, deputies,

assisting officers and troopers devised a plan to safely pull over

Pladson.

Once everyone was in place, deputies activated and used their emergency lights.

Pladson slowed down and pulled onto the shoulder with deputies behind him, but then quickly accelerated and proceeded on I-35 at a high rate of speed.

Deputies pursued with lights and sirens until Pladson exited at Sturgeon Lake in Pine County.

The deputies had to conduct three precision immobilization technique maneuvers on Pladson’s vehicle before successfully stopping him.

Once the vehicle was stopped, deputies approached Pladson and observed him reaching back into his vehicle and behind his back.

While placing Pladson in custody, deputies noticed he had rigid muscle tone, was sweating and had uncontrolled body movements, all signs of impairment by controlled substances.

Deputies discovered Pladson was reaching back into his vehicle to allegedly remove or tamper with controlled substances in the car. Deputies allegedly discovered a large amount of methamphetamine thrown about the ground next to and inside of the vehicle.

Deputies later field-tested the methamphetamine and discovered it had a field weight of 82 grams. Deputies also allegedly discovered Pladson had 63 grams of fentanyl under his seat.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample, which was collected and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

Pladson’s driving history revealed that he has had a previous conviction for a DUI in the last 10 years, as well as several other occurrences of fleeing peace officers. He also has been previously convicted 10 times for possession of drugs.

In addition to the felony charges, Pladson was also charged with three gross misdemeanor traffic charges, including two charges of driving under the influence and one charge for reckless driving, while consciously disregarding the rights and safety of others. He remains in Carlton County Jail, and bail has been set at $150,000. He appeared in court earlier this week.