WINONA, Minn. — Police officers were led on a five-mile car chase around town and finally backed off for safety’s sake about 7 a.m. as the streets began crowding with morning commuters. “The driver obviously, and without care, was disobeying traffic control devices,” said a police spokesperson. Speeds had been at 50 mph through town. Multiple police vehicles had joined the chase. Later the car was found abandoned in the 700 block of West Fifth Street near Fast Eddie’s Bar and towed to the police station to be examined for evidence. Expect an arrest warrant, police said.
A chase saga
Police were called to an alarm in a Far East End industrial zone, at 1000 block of East Third Street at 7:01. They offered this account: An employee claimed everything was fine, saying something about confusion in a meet-up. The officers parked nearby to observe. About 7:20 a.m. a suspicious vehicle drove out from behind the Winona Knitting Mills professional building. The officers followed the vehicle, checking its registration by radio. Information came back that the registered owner was from out of town and had a revoked driver’s license. The officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. The pursuit continued on East Second Street and on to Carimona Street, Sixth Street, Mankato Avenue, East Belleview Street, East Mark Street and Sarnia Street. Other police attempted an intercept. Polic terminated the chase at 7:27 close to Main and Sarnia streets in the Winona State University neigborhood.