(Okoboji)– A juvenile faces multiple charges after trying to flee a police officer by jumping into East Lake Okoboji early this (Wed.) morning.
The Okoboji Police Department says it started around 1:00 am when an officer pulled over a vehicle in the area of Highway 71 and Gordon Drive for speeding. Upon investigating the officer determined the juvenile driver, who’s from Estherville, didn’t have a valid driver’s license and smelled of alcohol. While conducting a sobriety test, the officer reported the driver fell forward into him. As medical personnel were being called to the scene, the juvenile jumped up and took off running east toward some condominiums on East Lake Okoboji. The suspect jumped off a dock and started swimming. The Arnolds Park-Okoboji Underwater Search and Rescue Unit was called to the scene. The juvenile, who’s name hasn’t been released, was retrieved from the water, was taken to shore, and was transported to the Dickinson county jail. The juvenile was charged with speeding, no valid driver’s license, minor in possession of alcohol, minor in possession of tobacco and an .02 violation.
The suspect and a passenger that was in the vehicle, also a juvenile, were both released to the custody of their parents.
Okoboji police were assisted by the Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park and Milford Police Departments, Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire and Rescue and Lakes Regional Healthcare paramedics.
