Becker County murder suspect remains at-large as search continues

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A manhunt is still underway for a shooting suspect involved in a homicide in Pine Point on Sunday.

Law enforcement is searching for 40-year-old Michael Dwayne Croud, of Ogema. A warrant for Croud’s arrest has been issued for second-degree intentional murder for the death of 35-year-old David Wayne Hanks, of Park Rapids, who was found dead of a gunshot wound in a vehicle in Pine Point village.

According to WDAY in Fargo, a Moorhead apartment building on the 900 block of 18th Street South was raided by members of the Red River Valley SWAT team in an attempt to locate Croud, but failed to apprehend the suspect.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension requested the SWAT team for the operation.

Anyone with information about the Pine Point incident, or anyone who may know the current location of Croud, should contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at: 218-847-2661.

In a news release, the sheriff’s office also stated, quote: “Anyone who is discovered to have harbored or aided Croud will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Pelican Pete finds a new perch after dam removal in Pelican Rapids

Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids’ most famous riverfront landmark, was placed atop his new perch on Wednesday after a dam along the Pelican River was removed and replaced with a graded rapids system.

The $2.7 million Pelican Rapids project was one of several projects spearheaded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designed at replacing aging, out of service, dams along waterways, which will allow fish more natural spawning opportunities upstream for many species.

In a Facebook Live event hosted by the Pelican Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Pelican Rapids Mayor Brent Frazier said he was happy Pete made the transition in one piece.

“It landed,” said Frazier. “In one piece. That was the plan.”

Jeff Holt, an Pelican Rapids resident, said he thought the rapids, and Pete’s new home, looked pretty good, but thinks the city lost a little bit of history when the dam was removed.

“It’s different,” said Holt. “I think we lost some history. It’s a sign of the times, I guess. It’s okay. It looks good. It really does look good. You know, nobody likes change, but this is a good change.”

The project also received grant funding to install walking paths around 15-foot-tall Pete, so visitors will have even better access to the “world’s largest pelican.”

Pelican Pete’s overlook has been a tourist destination along the Pelican River since 1957.

Three arrested in connection with Otter Tail County burglaries; about $200,000 worth of items recovered

The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people in connection to a string of recent burglaries in Perham, New York Mills and the Pelican Rapids area.

According to the Otter Tail County sheriff’s Office, 33-year-old Gage Barnes, 24-year-old Hunter Jankowski and 28-year-old Michaela Beyer are being held pending charges for the thefts.

Officers executed search warrants at locations in Dent and Pelican Rapids and were able to recover two side-by-side utility vehicles, a jet ski, a stolen firearm, trailers and various power tools.

Investigators said they believe the stolen items are valued at more than $200,000.

Law enforcement is continuing to identify stolen items from the searches of the two residences.

Yamaha Motors to cease snowmobile operations in 2025

Yamaha Motors will be leaving the snowmobile market in the U.S. by 2025.

In a news release posted the social media, the powersports company said the company has concluded that it will be difficult to continue a sustainable business in the snowmobile market and plans to focus on current business activities and new growth markets.

Yamaha released its first snowmobile, SL350, in 1968 by transposing its small engine technology from motorcycles into snowmobiles.

The 2024 Yamaha model snowmobiles will the last available for purchase in Europe with customers in North America being able to purchase the company’s final model in 2025.

In concluding their news release, Yamaha Motors stated: “Yamaha snowmobile dealers and customers throughout the world have proven to be among the most passionate. Yamaha thanks and cherishes all for their years of loyalty and shared enjoyment of this special winter pastime.”

Minnesota man faces interfering charges after becoming disorderly on Alaska Airlines flight

A Minnesota man was jailed in Alaska after allegedly becoming combative with a flight crew during a flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage on June 25.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Christian David Burch, of St. Paul, was on an Alaska Airlines flight on Sunday when he got up to use the bathroom. 

A flight attendant onboard said they heard a man screaming in the bathroom at the back of the plane. When they went to ask if the person needed help, there was no answer, followed by more screaming, and then Burch punched his way out of the bathroom because, he said, he couldn’t figure out how to unlock the door.

The flight attendant said it smelled like a burning, metallic odor, and Burch was “puffed up,” angry, drooling and foaming at the mouth. He then marched toward the front of the cabin, past his assigned seat, and was stumbling around. 

He was stopped by flight crew members before he got to the cockpit and placed in a nearby jump seat.

A nurse onboard came forward and said she believed he was suffering from an overdose.

According to witnesses onboard the flight, Burch became combative when someone went to get Narcan, and other passengers helped hold Burch down so he could be treated. They said he remained combative even after he was handcuffed. Other passengers and flight attendants were bloodied during the struggle after Burch bit through his lip and bled from his nose onto those individuals. 

Witness accounts said Burch calmed down after receiving two small doses of Narcan and was quiet for the remainder of the flight. 

He allegedly told a seatmate he wasn’t on drugs; rather, it was a panic attack. A witness said Burch tried to stuff a small piece of tin foil between the seats.

Once the flight landed at Ted Stevens International Airport, the FBI met the plane and pulled Burch aside. 

Federal affidavits said Burch told investigators he ate three gummy bears laced with hexahydrocannabinoil he bought at a gas station in Minnesota and reacted badly to them, which had never happened before. 

Agents said they found the foil packet he left on the plane, searched his luggage, and found another wadded piece of tin foil. His bag was swabbed and allegedly turned up residue of heroin and carfentanyl, an ultra-potent synthetic opioid. 

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Burch has previous arrests and charges involving domestic assault, assault, theft and criminal damage to property charges in Benton, Hennepin and Stearns Counties.

Burch has now been charged with interfering with a flight crew and assault. He is due in federal court Thursday.

Pilot found dead in small plane crash, south of Crookston

A pilot was found dead following a small-engine plane crash Tuesday night, south of Crookston.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were dispatched to the scene between the cities of Climax and Beltrami, Minnesota on June 27 around 8:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, first responders found a crop dusting plane had crashed into a field and come to rest upside down. The pilot was found dead inside the plane and was believed to be the only person onboard the aircraft.

The crash is under an active investigation and name of the pilot is being withheld pending a next of kin notification.

Fire departments from Beltrami, Fertile, and Crookston assisted first responders and law enforcement at the scene.

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