Red Lake man sentenced in burglary, arson

BEMIDJI - Fabian Wayne English, 25, of Red Lake, has pleaded guilty to felony charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree arson and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

In an April 3 hearing in Beltrami County District Court, Judge Paul Benshoof ordered English to serve 78 months at a state correctional facility in St. Cloud with 496 days credited for time served.

According to the criminal complaint:

Early Nov. 25, a Turtle River Township resident awoke to see a Buick Electra on fire in his driveway. He also discovered his 2001 Ford pickup had been stolen. Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the arson and vehicle theft call.

Court documents accuse English of stealing the Ford pickup and driving to a nearby residence, where he broke into a detached garage and stole two firearms and other items. He put the guns and other items he had stolen from other area break-ins into a 2007 Chevrolet pickup at the burgled residence. He then set fire to the Ford pickup and drove away.

A deputy eventually met up with English, who drove the Chevrolet pickup at speeds of more than 90 miles per hour. The high-speed chase lasted two hours. Red Lake officers eventually cornered English, who then tried to escape on foot. He was arrested after an exchange of gunfire, during which he was shot in the ankle. English was treated at North Country Regional Hospital.