A Rochert man made his first appearance on a felony charge in Becker County District Court Friday.
District Judge Spencer Sokolowski set bond at $2,000 against Matthew Torgerson, 31, of 37855 SW HOL Drive. His next court appearance is Feb. 27.
Torgerson is charged with fleeing a police officer, stemming from a Wednesday-Thursday incident on Highway 34 east of Detroit Lakes.
According to a criminal complaint, Torgerson was allegedly passing vehicles on Highway 34 when he pulled up alongside a Becker County sheriff's deputy's squad car in the late hours of Wednesday. Torgerson then braked and pulled in behind the deputy.
The deputy pulled over at the intersection with County Highway 56 while Torgerson continued on Highway 34. The deputy followed and allegedly attempted to stop Torgerson, who failed to do so. After three miles, the deputy quit the chase.
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Torgerson was arrested a few hours later on Thursday at a rural Frazee address after the deputy found his car in the ditch on 420th Avenue.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
