High speed chase leads to arrest

Charles Grant Rubel, 55, of Eagle Lake is in custody with the Waseca County Sheriff’s office after an incident which began about 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. A Waseca County deputy driving on West Wilton River Road northwest of New Richland spotted a Chevy Camaro driving with its headlights off on 280th Avenue; the headlights were turned on and the vehicle continued driving, but failed to stop at a number of stop signs. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop; the vehicle left the scene. After a pursuit which covered about 3 miles, the car left the roadway at the T-intersection of County Roads 12 and 23 in Wilton Township, going through a ditch and driving a short distance into a beanfield before being turned off and the headlights extinguished. A pair of shoes, pair of pants, and cell phone were in and around the vehicle.

 

The subject fled on foot, leaving his identity unknown at the time.

 

Responding units established a multi-agency perimeter and initiated a foot track. The area was secured and nearby homes and properties were checked. 

 

Despite these efforts, the subject was not located. The incident concluded with the perimeter being stood down and units clearing the scene. No injuries or squad car damage occurred.

 

The next day, a witness noticed a barefoot individual walking along the roadway and supplied information to law enforcement, leading to an arrest. When addressed, Rubel was barefoot, very dirty, and sweating profusely. He told officers he was in the process of walking from Owatonna to his home in Eagle Lake. A subsequent investigation revealed that Rubel had been in temporary possession of the vehicle because he was going to be completing body work on it.