AUSTIN, Minn. – A woman drove around a police car barricading a street at a restaurant fire, went right up to a hose carrying water to firefighters, then reversed and squealed off. Police gave chase with lights and sirens. A mile later the woman stopped. But as officers approached, she spun her tires and squealed off again. Police broke off the chase because of dangerous speeds on city streets. A few blocks farther, sheriff’s deputies found the woman in a parking lot. This was about 1 a.m. They arrested Samantha Rae Ricke, 33, of Austin. She was booked for fleeing police. Was she high? Police suspect so.
$100,000 damage. Fire reported at Japan Panda after hours, about 11:30 p.m., in northwest Austin Fire confined to kitchen. Smoke damage throughout.