|
|
Saturday, April 29, 2006
|
|
Home searched for escaped sex offender Benson not found at house near Motley Staff Writer
Law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant Friday at a home about 12 miles northeast of Motley searching for an escaped sex offender from St. Peter.
Kevin Smith, director of communications for the state Department of Public Safety, said Friday afternoon that authorities did not find Michael Dale Benson, 42, who April 15 squeezed through a broken window and escaped from a security hospital in St. Peter.
A man matching Benson's description in a vehicle was spotted April 17 in Cass County at the intersection of County Road 75 and Highway 2.
Smith said law enforcement officials from the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Cass County Sheriff's Department executed the search warrant at the rural Cass County residence in Meadowbrook Township.
Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher said the home was in the Wilderness Park area, about 12 miles northeast of Motley, east of Highway 64.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple squad cars with lights and sirens activated heading north late Friday morning on Highway 371 through Little Falls, Brainerd and Pequot Lakes.
They thought they had a good lead on this Michael Benson guy but it turned out not to be, Smith said.
Smith said the search took place starting about 1:30-2 p.m. Friday at a residence in the heavily wooded area. Law enforcement officers continued to canvass the area after the search, passing out fliers with Benson's photograph to people living in the area, said Smith.
Fisher said the search effort was a result of information received by law enforcement that Benson was in the Wilderness Park area. The sheriff said that law enforcement agencies and officers continue to collaborate and network in their efforts to apprehend Benson.
Smith said there is a $10,000 reward for any tipster that leads law enforcement to Benson's capture.
Authorities previously described Benson as an American Indian, 5 feet 11 inches, 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is said to have fled St. Peter in a stolen green 1997 Ford Crown Victoria with Minnesota license plate MXB801.
Anyone who sees Benson or the vehicle is asked to call 911.
JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
|
Schools has an opening fo...
|
|
not a
9-5 person,
how about
11-2, 4-...
|
|
CASH!!
Independent Carrier need...
|
|
position plans sales trai...
|
|
is hiring for the following
...
|
|
|
|
Bids Being Accepted
call...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overcast, 61°
