Rafael Buenfil (OTCDF)
Fergus Falls, MN – A man is in custody after a high speed chase with Fergus Falls police.
42-year-old Rafael Buenfil of Fergus Falls was arrested on Friday, March 28th after being accused of driving away from officers at high speeds in a stolen vehicle.
According to court documents, a Fergus Falls police officer witnessed a white Lexus with temporary dealer plates speeding down South Cascade Street. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but despite travelling 45 miles per hour, the Lexus was pulling away from them. The officer says the vehicle ignored a stop sign while quickly turning onto Highway 210, before speeding off at over 100 miles per hour.
The officer says they stopped pursuing the Lexus after it turned onto Pebble Lake Road. Shortly after, a State Trooper saw the vehicle turn onto Big Chief Road, which is a dead end. More officers arrived and they found the Lexus unoccupied at the Big Chief Truck Stop. Police say they located Buenfil at the gas station and arrested him. He had been seen getting into the vehicle shortly before the pursuit. They also say a baggie containing 14.8 grams of methamphetamine was found in the vehicle.
Court documents say police reached out to the dealership in Richfield that the plates on the Lexus were from. Staff members say Buenfil had been on a test drive of the vehicle on March 26th and they did not realize he had taken a set of keys and the vehicle off the lot without permission. They then filed the vehicle as stolen.
Buenfil is charged with Fleeing Law Enforcement, 3rd Degree Possession of Drugs, and Failing to Fulfill Registration as a Predatory Offender. Buenfil has multiple previous convictions of drug possession and fleeing law enforcement.
