Elijah Belgard, 25 (Photo/Grand Forks County Jail)
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO) – A 25-year old Fargo man is in the Grand Forks County Jail and facing charges of fleeing and drug possession after a pursuit on U.S. Highway 2.
Court documents say Elijah Belgarde fled State Patrol Troopers near Larimore at speeds greater than 100-mph after an attempted traffic stop. Belgarde later stopped just before Niagara and exit the vehicle along with two women passengers and a baby.
The passengers allegedly told Troopers that Belgarde began to flee because the passengers refused to switch seats with him. One of the passengers later agreed to switch seats, so he stopped the vehicle. Belgarde later admitted to troopers he was the driver of the SUV.
Troopers say they learned that Belgarde was wanted in Fargo for charges of aggravated assault, domestic violence and felony restraint. He allegedly told Troopers he got scared and fled because he knew he had a warrant in Fargo and couldn’t go to jail. He also said the women in the car told him to flee because they had things in the car they wanted to hide and were worried about losing the baby.
Troopers say they searched the SUV and found drugs and drug paraphernalia. They also say Belgarde failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a urine test. He was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and fleeing officers.
Comments