The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 5-20-2019 at approximately 7:25 pm, agents with the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force were conducting an operation in the city of Little Falls related to the trafficking of narcotics. During the operation, agents with the task force observed 34-year-old Benjamin Anthony Tschida of Little Falls, MN in a motor vehicle driving in Northeast Little Falls. Agents were able to follow Tschida and requested assistance from the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Little Falls Police Department. Law enforcement officials attempted to stop Tschida on 7th Ave NE, but he fled in his vehicle and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit Tschida was observed throwing items out of his vehicle while continuing to refuse to pull over.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Tschida was eventually apprehended on 11th Ave NE in the city of Little Falls after a Morrison County Deputy used a PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) to disable Tschida’s vehicle. Tschida was taken into custody without further incident.
Tschida was arrested on his felony warrants and is facing additional charges of felony fleeing in a motor vehicle and 5th degree possession of drugs. The items thrown from the vehicle were recovered by the Task Force and were identified as methamphetamine.
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen wants to remind residents to continue calling in suspicious activity and reporting short term traffic. The sheriff’s office urges residents to call their office at (320) 632-9233 when activity is occurring. You can also contact our Drug Tip Line (toll free) 888-378-4847 or (320) 632-0377, to report any information regarding drug activity that is not ongoing.