Posted: 2/27/07
Gunshots reported outside apartments
Man sought for questioning after fleeing officer on foot
By Andrew Miller
Interim News Editor
Police from five local agencies combed La Crescent the afternoon of Feb. 20 for a man who walked away from an officer at gunpoint.
The man was wanted for questioning in connection with a report of gunshots fired outside an apartment complex at about noon on the 700 block of Cedar Drive, according to La Crescent police Chief Todd Nelson.
Nelson was speaking with a witness outside the apartments when a car with four people drove into the lot matching the description of the car that had left just after the alleged gunfire.
Nelson drew his gun and ordered the occupants to stay in the vehicle, but one of the men walked into the apartment building, Nelson said. The man had his hand in his pocket and the pocket had a bulge in it, leading police to believe he was armed.
The man ignored Nelsonís orders to stop, despite the fact Nelson had a gun pointed at him.
"He walked off with his hand in his pocket and refused to obey my commands," Nelson said.
Responding to the scene were police from Caledonia, Hokah, Houston, as well as deputies from the Houston County Sheriffís Office.
The three other people in the vehicle were detained by police and questioned. A 19-year-old man was arrested for possession of about an ounce of marijuana, Nelson said.
Police have identified the man who fled the scene ó he left property inside the vehicle that indicated who he is, Nelson said. As of late last week, a warrant had not yet been issued for the manís arrest.
"Itís under investigation and we have a suspect that weíre looking to talk to," Nelson said.
La Crosse police are assisting with the investigation.
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com