Suspect arrested after Assault and Chase

On Saturday, December 24, 2011, at approximately 9:16 A.M., Beltrami County Sheriff’s Deputies responding to a call of an assault with a knife on Melby Lane in Wilton, spotted the suspect vehicle which had been described by the victims to dispatch as a silver Grand Am. Deputies attempted to stop the Grand Am and the suspect fled east on the Highway 2 bypass from Division Street. The pursuit reached speeds exceeding 100 Miles per hour before the suspect finally stopped his vehicle on Highway 2.

The suspect, identified as Ricky Lee Lidel, 56, Bemidji, abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by responding deputies. Deputies made contact with the caller and learned Lidel had broken the victim’s nose and threatened to stab the victim with a knife during a violent encounter with Lidel that occurred at the victim’s residence in Wilton.

Lidel is in custody at the Beltrami County Jail pending review of charges by the County Attorney for Felony Second Degree Assault, Felony Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing on Foot and Driving after Revocation.

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office