Kidnapping suspect leads deputies on chase in northern Minnesota

An investigation is now underway regarding a kidnapping and pursuit in International Falls that stretched nearly 60 miles to Orr, ABC affiliate station WDIO reported.

According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office, the International Falls Police Department received a report of a kidnapping that happened after 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 1400 block of Highway 11-71. The victim was an adult female who was forced into a white van by a man she had a prior relationship with.

After the report, law enforcement from the region began a search for the vehicle in the area.

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office deputies located a vehicle matching the description near 8:30 pm.heading south on Minnesota Highway 53. A pursuit reaching speeds of 80 mph began after this vehicle was located.

After some time the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of a motel on the 4400 block of Highway 53 in the city of Orr. The suspect waved a gun outside of the van window as he drove, but eventually the vehicle stopped and was surrounded by officers.

The kidnapping victim exited the passenger side and fled to a wooded area but was located by law enforcement shortly after. She was then taken to Essentia Health-Virginia to be evaluated.

Officers heard a gunshot from inside the vehicle shortly after the victim fled and saw the suspect with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Medical assistance was provided to the suspect until an Orr ambulance arrived. The man was transported by Life Link Air Care to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth for treatment for life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.