Locals arrested after high speed chase

On Thursday, May 23, at approximately 4:04 a.m., a vehicle occupied by three area residents was involved in a police chase through the streets of Grand Forks that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.

According to a press release from the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, one of their deputies initiated a traffic stop of a red Dodge Charger for crossing the centerline in the city of Grand Forks.

“The vehicle briefly stopped, and then proceeded to flee at a high rate of speed,” states the press release. “... The vehicle fled westbound and continued to attempt to elude the deputy by taking several turns on residential roads.

“The vehicle eventually fled Eastbound in the 1800 block of 27th Ave. South and crashed into a parked vehicle.”

From there, authorities say the driver fled the scene on foot, while two other occupants were apprehended in the vehicle.

The occupants were identified as Deborah Fleetwood, a 33-year-old female from Carrington, N.D., and Destinie Rivera, a 23-year-old female from Pisek, N.D.

Both were placed under arrest, and approximately two hours later, law enforcement received a call about a suspicious individual at a residence, who was later identified as Kyle Kahalehili Maez-Schaak, a 31-year-old male from New Rockford, N.D.

Through the investigation, Maez-Schaak was identified as the operator of the vehicle in the pursuit.

Maez-Schaak was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, fleeing a peace officer and criminal mischief, all Class C felonies; as well as driving under suspension, a Class A misdemeanor; and refusal to halt, a Class B misdemeanor.

This is hardly the first time Maez-Schaak has found himself in trouble with the law.

He’s been arrested more than 30 times since legally becoming an adult, and this is the eighth time in the past six years he’s been arrested under suspicion of fleeing a peace officer.

Maez-Schaak is scheduled to appear in court on July 1 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing and/or arraignment.

Meanwhile, the two female occupants of the vehicle are also facing charges.

Fleetwood was arrested on suspicion of hindering law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, while Rivera was arrested on outstanding warrants.

Maez-Schaak, Rivera and Fleetwood are considered innocent unless proven guilty.