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Moorhead Police get into a pursuit with a Stolen Vehicle
Vehicle backed into a Moorhead Squad car in an attempt to get away
On February 19, 2019, at approximately 0130 hours, an Officer with the Moorhead Police Department saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen on February 17. When he pulled in behind the vehicle in a driveway, the stolen vehicle backed up and struck the police car. The vehicle led officers on a pursuit through Moorhead and eventually westbound on I-94 into Fargo. The Moorhead Police Department terminated their pursuit and the vehicle was able to get away as it exited to go north on South University Drive. The squad car has moderate damage to the front bumper area.
At approximately 0230 hours, a Moorhead Officer was on her way home to Fargo and spotted the stolen vehicle again. She was able to relay the information to Fargo Police Officers who converged into the area. The vehicle continued to flee whenever it saw a police car and was eventually located stuck in a snow bank in the 5100 of 44 St S in Fargo. Two occupants were taken into custody after trying to get the vehicle unstuck. The female was later released after being questioned. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Dennis William Merritt (36) from Fargo. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was held for the following charges for Moorhead Police:
- Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle (Felony)
- Possession of Stolen Property (Felony)
- Criminal Damage to Property (Felony)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Misdemeanor)
- No Driver's License (Misdemeanor)
Dennis Merritt old mugshot from a previous arrest in September of 2017. He has a very lengthy history of driving offenses in North Dakota.
This is another great example of Moorhead and Fargo Police Departments working together to take dangerous drivers off the roads. Our officers are able to hear each other's radio traffic and position themselves to assist when another agency has someone trying to get away. Many times the suspects feel they are safe if they cross the river into a different state.