The suspect's vehicle after it was removed from the field. (Richland County Sheriff's Office)
Walcott, ND – At around 5 o’clock Wednesday evening, law enforcement initiated a pursuit of a wanted man in Clay County near Felton that continued into Cass County, ND and eventually into Richland County, where the pursuit was terminated.
The suspect’s vehicle became stuck in a field on the west side of Walcott, ND, with the driver fleeing on foot.
A female passenger was quickly detained at the scene.
Shortly after the vehicle was abandoned, it started on fire, igniting a grass fire in the field.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the area for mutual aid, securing a perimeter around the area, and both Walcott and Colfax Fire Departments responded to extinguish the car and grass fire.
An Everbridge “Shelter in Place” message was sent to the residents of Walcott. K-9 search teams from Clay County conducted a ground search while a drone was utilized for an aerial search.
A house-by-house search was also conducted, with Deputies locating the suspect hiding in a motorhome in the driveway of a Walcott residence at around 8.
43-year-old Mark Crompton was arrested on 3 warrants from Grand Forks County (Thefts), 1 warrant from Cass County (Burglary), and 1 Richland County warrant (Possession of Stolen Property).
Crompton was transported to the Richland County Jail on the warrants, with further charges pending related to the pursuit, property damage, and trespass to a motor vehicle.
The car was a total loss, but the suspect and officers were not injured.
Agencies involved or assisting: Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, End of The Woods Task Force, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Walcott Fire, Colfax Fire, Kindred Ambulance.