Officer impersonation, high speed chase ends in foot race

MOYIE SPRINGS — An Oregon man was arrested following a high speed chase down Roosevelt Street and a foot race on May 17.

Just after noon, it was reported earlier that the man had red and blue lights on his silver SUV and was attempting to pull people over on Meadow Creek.

Leo Jacob Lafollette, 55, is being charged with fleeing from police, a felony, driving under the influence and false impersonation, both misdemeanors.

In a probable cause affidavit, Boundary County Sheriff Detective Caleb Watts responded to Meadow Creek to follow up on a report of a vehicle attempting to make traffic stops. Watts saw the vehicle and followed it east onto Highway 2 and activated emergency lights, following the vehicle onto Roosevelt.

Law enforcement officials pulled the vehicle over at Roosevelt Street, where Lafollette was in the driver seat. Lafollette then closed the driver’s side door and drove off, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Watts clocked Lafollette going 85 mph in a 35 mph zone. While law enforcement officials slowed down to not endanger the public, Lafollette was clocked still going 85 in the 25 mph, according to court records.

Law enforcement filled as the chase went on to North Division and then back onto Highway 2.

The vehicle went off road and drove to the woods, BCSO Undersheriff Rich Stephens pursued.

Once in the woods, Lafollette jumped out of the car and it was off to the races with Stephens still in pursuit.

Watts turned onto Elk Road to block the route, and Lafollette was apprehended and cuffed by Stephens and placed under arrest. He was then transported for testing.

In the affidavit, Watts wrote he smelled alcohol on Lafollette. Officers allege in the documents that Lafollette later admitted to drinking three beers.

Bond is set for $100,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 26.