Pursuit to Lead to Charges for Rochester Woman with Multiple DWIs

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Rochester woman accused of leading deputies on a pursuit throughout southern Rochester Friday night. 

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Olmsted County Sheriff’s Captain James Schueller said the pursuit began shortly before 8 p.m. when a deputy noticed the center brake light was out on a vehicle that also ran through a stop sign at the intersection of 50th Ave. and Marion Rd. Southeast. The deputy followed the vehicle as it headed north on Hwy. 52. 

The vehicle temporarily slowed down and veered towards the right shoulder before returning to the traffic lane and picking up speed. The vehicle then exited 52 at 11th Ave. Southeast where It went through the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and returned to northbound 52 before exiting the freeway to southbound Hwy. 63, Schueller said. 

Deputies continued their vehicle pursuit until the driver parked then fled the vehicle on foot in the 3700 block of Willow Heights Dr. Southwest. The suspect then ran through several backyards and ignored commands from deputies to stop, according to Schueller. 

The driver cut through several backyards before was finally apprehended after she became tangled in a mesh fence. One deputy deployed their taser at the woman after she refused to cooperate with law enforcement, Schueller stated. 

The woman refused to identify herself as she was being evaluated by Mayo Clinic Ambulance and booked into the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Schueller said first responders also reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the suspect. 

A deputy searched the woman’s vehicle and recovered an identification card that identified the suspect as 25-year-old Arak Warwien. Schueller said she’s expected to face charges for felony fleeing, felony first-degree DWI, felony test refusal, obstructing the legal process, fleeing on foot and various traffic violations. 

Schueller said Warwien has been convicted of DWI five times within the last 10 years. She also has a canceled driver’s license. Jail records show she’s being held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center awaiting arraignment in Olmsted County Court.