Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
On Friday, Sept. 16, a routine traffic stop in New Rockford escalated into a chase reaching speeds that exceeded 110 miles per hour.
According to court documents, 20-year-old Logan Dean Gigstad, a resident of Maddock, fled after Deputy Bennett Suave of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Department attempted to pull him over at around 11 p.m. Friday night.
Gigstad was allegedly seen at a stop sign, before accelerating away at a high rate of speed westbound on Central Avenue in New Rockford.
When the traffic stop was first initiated, Gigstad slowed down, indicating he intended to pull over. Instead, court documents say he suddenly accelerated to approximately 80 miles per hour on 1st Avenue North in New Rockford.
The chase soon found its way onto County Road 9, where Gigstad could allegedly be seen throwing small items out of the vehicle, and where speeds quickly ramped up.
Deputy Suave ended his pursuit when Gigstad crossed the line into Wells County, as he had already gotten close enough to see the vehicle’s license plate number.
Wells and Benson County law enforcement later resumed the chase in Wells County, where Deputy Suave rejoined the pursuit, and, according to the case report, Gigstad finally came to a stop after a number of unsuccessful spike strip attempts, close calls, and at least one collision with a Wells County police vehicle.
After allegedly failing to listen to verbal commands, Gigstad was finally removed from the vehicle after being pepper sprayed and tased by officers.
Gigstad was charged with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer and Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine), both Class A Misdemeanors, as well as Reckless Driving, a Class B Misdemeanor.
The criminal complaint filed against Gigstad states that, when questioned, he admitted it was cocaine that he threw from the vehicle.
His initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m.
However, the high-speed chase wasn’t all that kept local law enforcement busy recently.
Candace Olzweski, a 41-year-old resident of New Rockford, was recently charged with assaulting a police officer, among other charges, after she allegedly broke free of her handcuffs and attacked an Eddy County deputy.
The incident began on Saturday, Sept. 17, when Olzewski was detained for trespassing and placed inside a patrol vehicle. She eventually managed to escape her handcuffs and allegedly began kicking at the windows in an attempt to escape.
According to court documents, “When deputy Bennett Suave (the arresting officer) attempted to investigate the Defendant's behavior, the Defendant kicked him in the head. The impact left a visible mark on the deputy’s ear and caused him pain which lasted several hours.”
A struggle between Olzewski then continued outside the vehicle, where Deputy Suave and Lieutenant Deputy Jesse Anderson managed to subdue her and place her back in the vehicle.
She escaped from her handcuffs yet again, however, and another struggle ensued, this time requiring a third deputy to assist and once again place her under arrest and inside the patrol vehicle.
Allegedly, Olzewski also ripped off the cloth roofing of the patrol vehicle and tampered with the vehicle’s video system.
Court documents add, “The Deputy believes the damage to the patrol vehicle is in excess of two thousand dollars, but not in excess of ten thousand dollars.”
The case report states that lab results showed Olzweksi was under the influence of methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Olzweksi has been charged with Criminal Mischief and Simple Assault-Peace Officer or Correctional Officer, both Class C Felonies, as well as Preventing Arrest or Discharge of Other Duties, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Criminal Trespass, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Olzweski has pleaded not guilty to both of the misdemeanor charges, and her preliminary hearing and/or arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m.
