Charles Crane/MDN Joshua Chambers appeared in district court via ITV on Monday, facing multiple charges stemming from a multi-agency pursuit on Saturday.

Joshua Chambers, 18, Minot, made his initial appearance in district court in Minot on Monday for a myriad of charges related to a multi-agency pursuit that started in McLean County and ended in the heart of downtown Minot on Saturday.

Ward County prosecutors have charged Chambers with: attempted murder, a Class A felony; possessing a controlled substance in a correctional facility, a Class B misdemeanor; reckless endangerment, five counts, C felony; criminal mischief, three counts, B felony; criminal mischief, one count, C felony; fleeing in a motor vehicle, C felony; aggravated reckless driving, C felony; possession of a stolen motor vehicle, C felony; misdemeanors, duty upon striking attended motor vehicle, two counts, and driving under suspension; and an infraction, duty upon striking highway fixture.

According to the affidavit filed with the court, Minot Central Dispatch was informed by state radio that McLean County deputies were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 83. Dispatch was informed by McLean deputies that the vehicle had multiple occupants and had been involved in a gas drive off in Wilton. The vehicle was initially clocked going 96 miles an hour in a 70 miles per hour zone. While the McLean deputies pursued the vehicle, it was traveling over 100 miles an hour.

Ward County Sheriff’s Department deputies attempted to deploy a tire deflation device, but the vehicle crossed the median to avoid it, traveling northbound in the southbound lane. A second attempt was made to get a tire deflation device in position, which caused the driver of the vehicle to slow and swerve to avoid it, traveling directly at one of the deputies. The deputy drew his service weapon and attempted to aim at the driver but was struck by the vehicle before firing twice at the driver.

The vehicle continued northbound, where it was met by numerous Minot Police Department officers positioned near 37th Avenue and South Broadway in an unsuccessful attempt to detour the vehicle from entering the city. The stolen vehicle traveled through Minot at speeds exceeding 70 and 90 miles per hour before entering the downtown area off of Valley Street.

The stolen vehicle lost control several times while avoiding and fleeing authorities, causing several collisions and damage to multiple vehicles. After being cornered in a parking lot, the stolen vehicle struck multiple county and city vehicles, multiple street signs, and highway fixtures before finally coming to a stop.

Two adult male passengers fled the vehicle, but were eventually detained and identified as Justyn Smith, 32, and Ajarius Hamilton, 20. Both were charged with refusal to halt, B misdemeanors, and possession of marijuana, an infraction. A juvenile female was also a passenger of the stolen vehicle and was taken to Trinity ER for treatment for a bullet wound in her right foot.

According to court documents, deputies were then able to positively identify the alleged driver of the stolen vehicle as Chambers and placed him under arrest. While Chambers was being processed at the Ward County Jail, it was discovered that Chambers allegedly had a small bag of methamphetamine hidden in his shoe.

Chambers made his initial appearance before district court Judge Richard Hagar to determine his bond. Assistant Ward County State’s Attorney Christopher Nelson asked Judge Hagar for a significant bail requirement, citing Chambers’ criminal history of stealing vehicles and fleeing from police in the past. Chambers previously had pleaded guilty to fleeing from a peace officer in a vehicle for an unrelated case on Jan. 19, and had an active bench warrant for failing to appear for a Feb. 15 pretrial conference for similar charges when he was arrested on Feb. 25.

According to the affidavit, a correctional officer informed investigators that Chambers had been making explicit and threatening statements. Nelson asked Judge Hagar for bail of $5 million dollars.

“He attempted to kill one of my deputies,” Nelson said, “At age 18, he just doesn’t care at all who he hurts. He could have killed a lot of people and is an obvious danger to our community.”

Attorney Rina Morales had been appointed to represent Chambers for the case he was issued the bench warrant and appeared in court in that capacity. While technically not representing Chambers in this most recent matter, she asked Judge Hagar to consider the defendant’s age, as he would be unlikely to post bond. Morales also said that $5 million would be excessive when compared with bond in other recent murder cases.

After a tearful statement from Chambers, Judge Hagar assessed a bond of $1 million cash or surety. Chambers’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 5, 2023, and his pretrial conference for June 14, 2023. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the use of force by deputies during the incident.