Grand Forks man wanted on multiple warrants flees deputies on foot

Grand Forks County Sheriff’s deputies were looking for a man who fled on foot Monday when deputies stopped a vehicle to find him because of outstanding warrants.

Dustin Cody Desjarlais, 25, of Grand Forks, last was seen running between mobile homes in the Irongate Court area west of Interstate 29 and south of U.S. Highway 2 in the northwest area of Grand Forks.

When deputies stopped a vehicle looking for him during the noon hour Monday, Desjarlais was a passenger and took off running across snow-covered yards and streets.

He was wearing a red, hooded sweatshirt and dark pants and is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Desjarlais is wanted on several new and old misdemeanor charges in Grand Forks of drug possession, fleeing and traffic violations dating back to mid-2011, according to deputies and court records. He also has served time in the Grand Forks County jail on previous similar misdemeanor convictions.

Lt. Gary Grove of the sheriff’s department said there’s no reason to think Desjarlais is a danger to the public.

“It’s all misdemeanor stuff,” Grove said of the nine warrants Desjarlais faces, which include driving under suspension and without liability insurance, as well as drug paraphernalia possession.

Desjarlais has been staying in the neighborhood where he took off running, Grove said. He still was on the lam at about 5:45 p.m. Monday as the search continued.

Sheriff Bob Rost put out an announcement asking anyone with information about Dejarlais to contact his office at 701-780-8280 or any local law enforcement office.

Tags: news, crime