Alleged Semi Thief Charged in Stearns County

(KNSI) – A man has been charged after allegedly stealing a semi-truck and leading police on a chase while drunk through Stearns County.

Police say the driver stopped in Fridley for lunch, and when he returned, the truck was gone. The owners tapped into a GPS in the truck to see it was heading west on Interstate 94. An Avon officer saw the stolen semi and began a pursuit.

According to the criminal complaint, multiple officers tried to lay down spike strips which the driver tried to avoid. Eventually, the truck’s tires were shredded, and the vehicle rolled to a stop near the New Munich exit. The driver, identified as Isaac Lee Birdinground Jr., was arrested.

Police say he smelled like alcohol, and an open bottle of Southern Comfort was found in the truck’s cab. Investigators say the 38-year-old from Garryowen, Montana admitted to drinking. A preliminary breath test registered a .101 blood alcohol level. The legal limit to drive is .08.

Officers say ten minutes before the semi was stolen, Birdinground was seen on surveillance cameras at a liquor store near the site in Fridley.

He has been charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, theft-take/drive motor vehicle-no owner consent, traffic – DWI – operate motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and traffic – DWI – commercial motor vehicle – alcohol concentration 0.04 within two hours.

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