A Cambridge woman is facing felony charges after leading law enforcement on a brief chase during the evening of July 27 in the area of Paul’s Lake Road and 313th Avenue in Isanti Township.
Brandy Rae Lindell, 25, was charged July 29 before Judge James Dehn in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with felony fleeing a peace officer in motor vehicle; felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction; misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle; and misdemeanor driving with a revoked driver’s license. Lindell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18.
At the time of her arrest, Lindell had a felony warrant out for her arrest, and court records show she was driving with a revoked driver’s license. She was also convicted of felony third-degree possession of a controlled substance in October 2015 in Isanti County.
According to the criminal complaint:
On July 27, at 7:52 p.m., Isanti County Sgt. Wade Book was on routine patrol in the area of 313th Avenue and Paul’s Lake Road when he saw a vehicle and noticed the female driver matched relatively closely the driver’s license photo of Lindell. Book knew there was a felony warrant out for Lindell’s arrest.
Book first noticed the vehicle parked on Paul’s Lake Road facing south at the stop sign to turn onto 313th Avenue. As Book turned north on Paul’s Lake Road, the vehicle turned and proceeded east on 313th Avenue. Book activated his emergency lights for the vehicle to pull over.
The vehicle did not pull over but rather accelerated eastbound on 313th Avenue until reaching a driveway. At that time the emergency lights were still activated as Book turned down the long driveway to the south. The vehicle accelerated down the driveway without slowing or stopping. After the vehicle circled the pole barn it got back onto the driveway. At this time Book called out the pursuit on the radio.
Once the vehicle got back on the driveway a male passenger bailed out of the passenger door and slid into the ditch on his back. The vehicle continued back down the driveway and Book saw other doors on the vehicle begin to open including the driver’s door. The vehicle then abruptly stopped on the west side of the driveway near a wooded area and Lindell exited the driver’s door and ran for the woods. Book gave chase on foot yelling for Lindell to stop. Book caught up to Lindell approximately 35 yards into the woods when she tripped on a branch. Lindell was then placed into custody.
Book investigated and determined the vehicle pursuit lasted just over a half of a mile and did not reach speeds that were great. The vehicle was impounded and an inventory search revealed a purse containing Lindell’s identification. Inside the purse was a digital scale. There was a white residue on the scale area and inside hinge that tested positive for methamphetamine. Also located in the trunk was a black bandana rolled up that contained what felt like a glass bubble pipe, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. This pipe contained some burnt residue. Two more glass bubble pipes were located in a towel.
Book returned to his squad and without having been asked a question, Lindell stated there was a box with marijuana leaf underneath the spare tire in the trunk. Inside the box there was a pill for which she indicated she had a prescription.
At the Isanti County Jail, Lindell agreed to give a statement under Miranda. Lindell acknowledged she knew she was going to be stopped once Book saw her and she did not want to go to prison for eight months, so she tried to flee.
Lindell said she told her passenger to jump out of the vehicle to attempt to divert Book away so she could get away. Lindell also acknowledged the digital scale was in her purse, but did not claim ownership. She indicated she did not know the scale had a trace amount of methamphetamine on it. On an earlier occasion, Lindell apologized for running away from Book. She acknowledged again in the Miranda statement that she was sorry for running.
