Detroit Lakes man charged with driving under the influence, released on $30,000 bond – Detroit Lakes Tribune

DETROIT LAKES – Darren Robert Halvorson, 43, of Detroit Lakes, was charged in Becker County District Court with first-degree drunken driving.

According to court documents, just before 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, a Detroit Lakes police officer saw a vehicle traveling east on Willow Street in Detroit Lakes. He left the license plate running and the registered owner, Halvorson, had his driver's license revoked for endangering public safety.

The vehicle had turned into a driveway and when the officer turned on the lights and parked behind it, the driver exited the vehicle and walked behind the house.

The driver, Halvorson, then ran behind the house and the officer ran after him and arrested him. He smelled of an alcoholic beverage and had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. He said he would not administer field sobriety tests and declined to have them administered at the jail.

On Oct. 8, Halverson posted $30,000 bail and was released without conditions. His initial appearance was scheduled for Nov. 4 before District Judge Michelle W. Lawson.

Daniel James Steward, 20, of Detroit Lakes, was convicted in Becker County District Court of third-degree burglary.

The first- and second-degree burglary charges were dropped in a plea agreement.

According to court documents, on August 8, 2022, a Detroit Lakes woman reported that her home was entered and her purse was stolen, which contained cash and approximately 10 hydrocodone pills due to a recent operation.

The handbag was near a kitchen window that could have been easily reached from outside. The screen on the window was thrown to the ground. The reporting party stated that her son was sleeping in the basement at the time the purse was taken.

The screen was taken for fingerprint analysis and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. On June 7, 2023, the BCA reported that the fingerprints matched Steward's.

Officers checked where Steward lived at the time of the break-in and it was Detroit Lakes. An officer located Steward, who said he had been drinking the night of the burglary and that others had encouraged him to do so.

On October 7, District Judge Michael D. Fritz issued a stay of execution. Successful completion of probation will result in a misdemeanor conviction.

Steward was sentenced to 14 days in jail with credit for 14 days served and fined $400 plus $150 in court costs.

He was ordered to complete a comprehensive assessment and follow recommendations, including follow-up care. He was ordered not to drink alcohol or use illegal drugs and to take medication at the prescribed dosage and frequency.

He was ordered to undergo cognitive skills training and adhere to cognitive behavioral interventions and programming as outlined in his probation requirements. He was ordered to undergo individual therapy and participate in adult rehabilitative psychiatric services/community support programs. He must undergo psychological examination and treatment and follow the recommendations.

Andrew James Klemetsrud, 22, of Audubon, was convicted in Becker County District Court of gross misdemeanor DWI.

The charge of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and the charge of driving with a revoked license were dropped in a plea agreement.

According to court documents, at 3:23 a.m. July 27, the Becker County Sheriff's Office received a report of a stolen vehicle from the Morningside Motel on County Road 10 in Frazee.

A woman there said Klemetsrud was drunk and had taken her silver 2002 Buick LeSabre without permission about 25 minutes earlier.

The officer saw the car leaving County Road 10 near the motel and attempted to stop it. But Klemetsrud didn't stop and instead accelerated up to 80 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. After about a mile, the vehicle pulled over to the side of the road.

The officer spoke with Klemetsrud, the driver, and could smell a very strong odor of alcohol. When asked why he didn't stop, Klemetsrud replied: “I don't know, officer – you got me.”

At 4:14 a.m. at the Becker County Jail, Klemetsrud provided a breath sample that showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.

A check of Klemetsrud's driving status resulted in a suspension.

On Oct. 7, District Judge Gretchen Thilmony sentenced him to 180 days in prison, with 152 days served for four years and 28 days served.

He was fined $750 plus $440 in court costs.

He was ordered not to drink or use illegal drugs and to attend a MADD Impact Panel within four months of sentencing. He must also carry out a comprehensive assessment and follow the recommendations. He was sentenced to four years of unsupervised probation.