Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Thomas L. Hibpshman Jr. (left) and Jessica Marie Trottier (right), who fled from police at high speeds on Jan. 13, both have outstanding warrants for their arrest.
The officers at the Eddy County Sheriff's Office have had their hands full lately. On Wednesday, Jan. 13 officers approached a blue Jeep Cherokee that was parked on the side of a restricted road north of the canal. The two occupants, a male and female, were reportedly sleeping inside their vehicle with a gray pitbull. They asked the deputy to allow them to get dressed and then fled the scene. Police pursued the vehicle at high speeds through Eddy County, as the vehicle traveled down ditches and into fields before entering the city limits of New Rockford. For safety reasons officers ended the pursuit in New Rockford, and the suspects got away.
The driver, 39-year-old Thomas L. Hibpshman Jr., is a violent offender wanted in both Minnesota and North Dakota. His offenses in Minnesota include probation violation and failure to register as a sex offender. He also has a warrant for child welfare information system violations in North Dakota. Hibpsman Jr. has multiple tattoos on his chest, arms, and back.
His passenger is a female identified as 41-year-old Jessica Marie Trottier. She has a large tattoo on her neck possibly with the word Daddy and a chest tattoo with the name Thomas. Trottier has several active warrants out of Grand Forks.
The suspects' vehicle is a dark blue Jeep Cherokee with Gateway dealer paper plates. The vehicle is believed to be stolen out of Fargo. The luggage carrier on the vehicle reportedly fell off during the pursuit. Authorities say the carrier contained pictures, prison records and items used for methamphetamine distribution. Charges are pending in the case.
Then, on Saturday morning (Jan. 16), officers were called to the Rockford Cafe in downtown New Rockford on report of a robbery. Authorities say 37-year-old Brandon J. Lund of Mandan, N.D. entered the café after calling in a take-out order. He told the waitress the order was free because of a mix up on a previous order. The waitress called the manager to verify Lund's claim, and the manager asked to speak with Lund. While on the phone with the manager, Lund walked behind the counter and took a cell phone and money bag. A patron witnessed Lund's theft and alerted the waitress. The waitress confronted Lund, and he denied taking anything. He later handed the waitress the money and left.
After Lund exited the café, the waitress realized her cell phone was missing.The waitress and four patrons left the café to confront Lund, who was driving a white 4 door SUV backwards down First Avenue North to escape the approaching patrons.
Two patrons followed Lund in their personal vehicles while alerting law enforcement. The responding deputy was over 10 miles away in the opposite direction, so both patrons followed the suspect into Benson County and onto the Spirit Lake Reservation. Officers from both of those agencies responded, and both Lund and a woman who accompanied him were taken into custody after losing control of their vehicle and attempting to flee on foot.
When deputies searched Lund's vehicle, they discovered prescription medication they believed had been reported stolen from a vehicle in New Rockford the night before as well as methamphetamine paraphernalia.
Lund faces numerous charges, including three counts of theft of property, unlawful entry into a vehicle with intent to commit a crime, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine). An additional theft charge for using a canceled credit card at the Rock Inn is also pending. The woman who accompanied Lund, 33-year-old Crystal Blueshield of St. Michael, had outstanding warrants for theft out of Devils Lake. Lund and Blueshield both signed Spirit Lake extradition agreements and were transported to the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake.
Sheriff Paul Lies said Wednesday that he does not recommend individuals follow or chase suspects who have committed criminal acts. However, he says he does also recognize the extreme pride the citizens of Eddy County have in their community and always appreciates the support and assistance deputies have been given. "We are thankful no one was hurt or injured in this incident," Lies concluded.
The information shared here is local law enforcements' account of the incidents as they allege have occurred. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
