A Minot man has been sentenced after entering a change of plea to guilty for multiple charges in four separate cases, including three unique counts of fleeing a peace officer, a Class C felony.

Scott Timothy Gagne, 46, Minot, entered his change of plea in North Central District Court on Oct. 2, pleading guilty to three counts of fleeing a peace officer-vehicle-risk of death or serious injury, a Class C felony; one count of reckless driving-rights/safety, one count of driving under revocation-alcohol related, both Class B misdemeanors; and one count of theft-take-$500-$1,000, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to court documents, the first incident occurred Jan. 4, 2023, when Gagne turned off his lights and fled at a high rate of speed during an attempted traffic stop by a Minot Police officer. The second occurred on Jan. 27, 2023, when Gagne, whose license was revoked at the time, fled another attempt by Minot Police officers to pull him over. Officers terminated the pursuits in both instances, but observed him driving over the speed limit through school zones while children and parents were present.

The third incident occurred on Jan. 30, Minot Police officers and Ward County Sheriff’s deputies pursued Gagne after he attempted to evade another traffic stop. Despite several failed attempts, officers were eventually able to deflate one of the front tires of Gagne’s vehicle with spike strips. Gagne continued to drive with the flat tire before pulling into a driveway where he was arrested and then delivered to the Ward County Jail.

The theft charge stemmed from a report received on Aug. 7, 2023, when a Minot auto supplies store said a man in a Hawaiian shirt stole $764 in merchandise from the store. A store employee identified Gagne after completing a photo lineup.

District Court Judge Todd Cresap sentenced Gagne to a concurrent sentence of five years with the Department of Corrections, to first serve 18 months with credit 81 days served. Gagne was ordered to complete two years of supervised probation and to pay $915 in restitution. Gagne was also assessed $2,650 in court fines and fees.