Lemke arrested for OWI 1st drugged and eluding

On October 29th 2021 at approximately 4:00 PM, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office advised of a vehicle southbound on Hwy 60 at speeds in excess of 100 MPH. A Plymouth County Deputy and a Le Mars Police Officer went to the area of Hwy 60 at exit 120 north of Le Mars. A Le Mars officer clocked a vehicle matching the description at 108 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. The officer and a Plymouth County deputy tried to make a traffic stop on Hwy 75 near Hwy 3 (exit 118). The vehicle failed to stop and actually accelerated to speeds between 110- 115 MPH for a short period. The Merrill Police Department was able to use a tire deflation device near the intersection of Hwy 75 and Kestrel Ave. The vehicle continued south until the driver was forced to stop due to flat tires. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Hwy 75 and 260th St, between Merrill and Hinton. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver, Christopher Paul Lemke, age 31 of Otsego, MN, was charged with the following;

  • Felony eluding, a class D Felony
  • OWI drugged 1st, a serious misdemeanor
  • Speeding 110 in a 65
  • Speeding 104 in a 55
  • Speeding 82 in a 45

Lemke is being held at the Plymouth County Jail on a $6000 bond

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Le Mars, Merrill and Hinton Police Departments, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.