Grand Forks, North Dakota – At 1:55 AM, the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Deputies received word of an armed carjacking that had just taken place in the city. Near Thompson, North Dakota, GFSO Sergeant Aaron Davidson was parked. Sgt. Davidson started a traffic stop on the stolen car just west of Thompson on ND Highway 15 when he saw it pass him. The car didn’t stop, ran away down paved and unpaved roads in the Thompson region for a number of kilometers, and eventually took I-29 southbound from the Thompson on-ramp.
Spike strips were attempted to be used by deputies to stop the vehicle, but the car drove past them and into the ditch. Spike strips were placed by officers in several places along I-29, but the suspect managed to avoid those as well. The car escaped on I-29 heading south, occasionally traveling at 120 mph. After pursuing the car into Cass County, deputies there were able to effectively spike the evading vehicle. The car was stopped on I-29 at the milepost 66 exit ramp by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fargo Police Department after they assumed control of the pursuit.
Ahmed Hassan of Fargo, North Dakota was the driver and only occupant of the stolen car. Hassan was taken into custody on accusations of criminal driving under suspension, felony possession of stolen items, and felony evading a peace officer in a motor vehicle. Hassan was taken by a GFSO deputy to the Grand Forks County Correctional Center, where he was placed under arrest. The 75 miles were covered in around 57 minutes of pursuit.
The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office wants to let the bad guys know that they are going to be apprehended because we do follow cars. Public safety is our first responsibility, according to our administration. Offenders who pose a risk to other drivers and create hazardous driving circumstances will be placed under arrest.
The Fargo Police Department, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the Traill County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office provided support to the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigations into this occurrence are still ongoing. It is recommended that anyone with more information get in touch with the Sheriff’s Office.
