Tricia Potratz and Gavin Gladue (OTCDF)
Fergus Falls, MN – Two Fargo residents were arrested earlier this week after stealing from a Fergus Falls store and fleeing from law enforcement.
On Sunday (August 18th), the Fergus Falls Police Department was dispatched to a store in Fergus Falls for a report of a theft the previous day, according to court documents.
Dispatch was informed that a man and a woman had walked out of the store with two crossbows (one per suspect) that they had not paid for and drove off in a sedan with no license plates.
Together, the bows were valued at around $1,200.
According to the store, the pair briefly came back on Sunday.
Officers quickly located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.
At first, the vehicle didn’t stop, but kept reasonable speeds, but once on Western Avenue, the sedan began speeding and breaking multiple traffic laws to avoid law enforcement.
Officers attempted to use a stop stick on the vehicle’s tires and multiple PIT maneuvers before the vehicle was boxed in
Officials say the chase lasted around 1.7 miles.
The male driver was identified as 29-year-old Gavin Ross Gladue, with the female passenger being identified as 41-year-old Tricia Lynn Potratz, both from Fargo.
On the passenger side of the vehicle, officers found 2.3 grams of methamphetamine.
Gladue told officers that Potratz told him to go when law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop because Potratz had warrants.
When asked about the theft, Gladue stated that Potratz had set up a meeting and they sold the crossbows to the persons at the meeting for somewhere between $200 and $300.
Gladue then stated he was not sure how much Potratz got for the crossbows.
Gladue and Potratz were arrested and brought to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility.
Gladue is charged with Theft and Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle, while Potratz is charged with Theft and 5th Degree Drug Possession.