By Nancy Yang
The Pioneer Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A 36-year-old man led police on a car chase through Wisconsin and Minnesota near the St. Croix River early today and then got away after jumping into the waterway and swimming from one state to the next, police said.
According to a news release from the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, at about 1:17 a.m. an Osceola, Wis., police officer told the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office that he had stopped a motorist suspected of driving drunk on Minnesota 243.
A few minutes later, the officer announced he was chasing the motorist on Minnesota 243.
A Chisago County deputy joined the pursuit, which went north on Minnesota 95, west on County Road 26 and west on U.S. 8 before reversing direction and going back toward the Osceola boat landing where the chase began.
The driver got out of his car and ran into the river, police said.
The man swam down river where officers could no logner pursue him and is presumed to have made it to the Minnesota shore of the St. Croix River before continuing on foot. The National Parks Service searched the river and shore with a boat but did not find the suspect.
Police said the driver had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and his driving privilege was revoked in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Authorities did not immediately identify the suspect.
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