New Richland Police Chief Scott Eads issued the following press release Tuesday afternoon:
On this date at approximately 1:30 p.m. a patrolman with the New Richland Police Department stopped a vehicle approximately 1/2 mile south of New Richland on State Highway 13. Immediately after the stop the party fled on foot into a cornfield to the west of the stop location. It was learned afterwards that the party had a felony warrant for failure to appear for sentencing for possession of burglary tools. Members of the New Richland Police Department were assisted by deputies from the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from the Minnesota State Patrol setting up a perimeter of thearea. The Minnesota State Patrol also provided a helicopter to assist with the search.
New Richland Hartland Ellendale Geneva High School administration was notified shortly after the incident started given the proximity to the school facilities, although no direct threat was made or present towards the school. This was done as a precautionary measure.
The area was checked and the party was not located. It is believed that the party is responsible for taking a vehicle from the south part of New Richland that was reported shortly after 2 p.m. We are asking for your assistance in locating Minnesota license # 131 GCH, a black 2004 Honda Pilot.
Additional patrolmen were positioned around and near the NRHEG school building at dismissal, again, as a precautionary measure.