As of March 23, the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department has apprehended Austin Perleberg-Hunt.

(From the NDHP) At approximately 7:21 pm on March 21st, a NDHP Trooper attempted to stop a motorist on I-94 near MM 265 for traveling 98 in the 75 mph zone. The vehicle was a Chevrolet Cruze and was reported stolen from Fargo on March 21st. This location is about 5 miles east of Jamestown. The vehicle fled from the traffic stop, eventually taking Exit 269 and traveling north of Stutsman Co. Rd. 62.
The Chevrolet traveled north on Co. Rd. 62 toward Spiritwood, eventually crossing Stutsman Co. Rd. 40 and traveling north on 94th Ave SE, a gravel township roadway. About ¼ mile north of Co. Rd. 40, the Chevrolet left the roadway and became stuck in a slough on the west side of the road.
The 22 YOA male driver fled on foot, entering the slough and swimming/wading across it, before hiding in the slough about a ¼ mile west of 94th Ave SE. Two adult passengers, a 21 YOA female and 20 YOA male remained in the Chevrolet and were detained by the pursuing officer.
Deputies from the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and additional NDHP Troopers responded to the area. Officers from both agencies entered the slough, and after about 1 ½ hours, located the suspect. The suspect was rescued by several officers and was severely hypothermic. The male suspect had to physically carried out of the slough by the officers and eventually was placed on an ATV to be driven to a waiting ambulance. It was about two hours after the suspect entered the water that he was placed into the care of EMS.
The suspect was transported by Jamestown Ambulance to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, then transferred to a hospital in Fargo.
The suspect in this incident was Austin Perleberg Hunt, 22 YOA, Jamestown. Perleberg Hunt was charged with felony fleeing, reckless endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing stolen property. He was charged with misdemeanor driving under suspension and resisting arrest. Perleberg Hunt had warrants for his arrest at the time of the pursuit from Burleigh, Eddy and Stutsman Counties and the Jamestown PD. He is currently in custody at the Stutsman County Jail.
The NDHP was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Rural Fire Department, the Stutsman County Emergency Managers Office and the Jamestown Ambulance. A private citizens ATV was used to assist in the rescue.