Garrison man arrested after high-speed chase Man flees two accidents
By STU MERRY
A routine traffic stop for exhibition and reckless driving in Garrison city limits this past Saturday turned into a full-blown chase that included a manhunt and theft of a motor vehicle.
Robert John Painte, 25, Garrison, is in the McLean County Law Enforcement Center awaiting a preliminary hearing.
For his escapade Painte has been charged with a laundry list of offenses including reckless driving, driving while a license is suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, criminal trespass, refusing to halt and theft of property. He’s also charged with criminal mischief, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, resisting arrest and simple assault.
In addition, Painte was also issued citations for exhibition driving and driving without liability insurance.
According to the affidavit by Deputy Emmalene Sitting Bear, she attempted to stop Painte on Trooper Avenue at about 4:30 p.m. for exhibition and reckless driving. Painte proceeded to drive west on N.D. Highway 37 at a high rate of speed, finally stopping just west of Garrison.
Painte confessed that he had a suspended license and multiple warrants for his arrests and claimed the reason for speeding was that his grandmother was in hospice and dying.
Noting suspicious behavior, the officer requested Painte exit the white, four-door Jeep owned by passenger David Hosie of New Town. Instead, he fled the scene.
Painte left the highway, driving through wheat fields about 12 miles southwest of Garrison, losing law enforcement.
Authorities learned that Painte was on the property of Deputy Loni Carlson. Knowing that Painte lived in the vicinity, law enforcement went to Painte’s residence, but no one was home. The Jeep was later found north of the Carlson residence with major damage.
