Probation For Rochester Man Who Fled Police While on Probation

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man with a history of police chases has been sentenced to three years probation for his latest offense, which occurred while he was on probation for previous convictions involving fleeing police and a felony drug charge.

Olmsted County prosecutors had sought a 20-month prison sentence for 45-year-old Chad Raymond Briggs. The judge in the case did include a prison term in the sentencing order but it was stayed to give Briggs another chance at probation.

He entered into a plea agreement in October and admitted to a felony count of fleeing police in a motor vehicle. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation-inimical the public safety.

According to the criminal complaint, the law enforcement pursuit in April of last year began when an Olmsted County deputy on patrol saw Briggs driving a pickup truck and attempted a traffic stop because he was aware the man had a canceled driver's license. The court document also noted that Briggs was driving at a slow rate of speed with license plates that did not match the vehicle.

The chase, which began on Valley High Road west of Rochester, ended in Dodge County. During the pursuit, an attempt was made to end the pursuit using stopsticks, but it was unsuccessful. At that point, the chase was called off but the officers involved continued tracking Briggs and eventually arrested him in West Concord.

Court records show Briggs had 8 previous convictions for driving with a canceled license during the past four years. A felony drug conviction in June of last year also resulted in a stayed prison sentence and five years on probation. Briggs was given a 97-day jail sentence earlier in the year after he was convicted of fleeing police in Freeborn County.

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