Devils Lake Car Theft Leads To Crash; One Suspect Detained, Another Still At Large
SPIRIT LAKE RESERVATION, ND — Authorities say one man is in custody and another remains on the run after a car stolen from Devils Lake crashed Thursday evening near St. Michael on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
Car Theft Leads To Crash
According to a statement issued by the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Law Enforcement received a call from Lake Region Dispatch at 6:53 p.m. Thursday regarding a reported vehicle theft in Devils Lake.
Just ten minutes later, at 7:03 p.m., a BIA officer discovered a single-vehicle crash near St. Michael. Investigators later confirmed that the wrecked car was the same vehicle reported stolen earlier that evening.
Tribal spokesperson Vicki Alberts said the incident involved two adult male suspects, both of whom fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
One Suspect In Custody
One suspect was apprehended around 11:05 a.m. Friday, according to officials. The second suspect remains at large, and authorities are continuing their search. The suspects’ names have not been released to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The search effort is being led by BIA Fort Totten law enforcement, with assistance from the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Benson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake Region Drone Team.
Public Alert And Community Response
Residents of the Spirit Lake Reservation received a mass text alert Thursday night, advising them to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. Officials emphasized that while there is no active threat to the public, community vigilance remains important.
Authorities are reminding residents to lock doors, windows, and vehicles as a precaution and to report tips or sightings to the Fort Totten Police Department at (701) 766-4231.
Tribal officials said all community services remain operational, and updates will be shared through official tribal channels as new information becomes available.
“Community awareness and cooperation remain essential in supporting this response,” the council’s statement concluded.
Do you live in or near Spirit Lake Reservation and want to share how your community stays informed during emergency alerts? Join the discussion at NapervilleLocal.com, where we bring you the latest updates on crime, safety, and public response across the Midwest.
Naperville is a community with stories that deserve to be told — both the serious ones about safety and justice, and the lighter ones that capture our culture and daily life. I focus on covering crime reports and court updates while also highlighting the traditions, events, and social trends that shape who we are. Through my reporting, I want to give readers a fuller picture of Naperville — the challenges we face and the character that keeps our city strong.