Blue Earth County Deputies Apprehend Stolen Vehicle and Occupants with Active Warrants

On 10-13-25 at 3:00 pm, a deputy observed a black GMC pickup traveling significantly slower than other traffic as it exited northbound Highway 169 onto eastbound County Road 90. The deputy initiated a traffic stop due to the suspicious driving conduct and because the window tint appeared to exceed the statutory limit. While initiating the traffic stop dispatch relayed informed that the truck was reported stolen.

The deputy made contact with the driver from a distance while waiting for additional deputies to respond. The driver told the deputy his passenger was experiencing an overdose but then fled when the deputy called for medical assistance. The pursuit went south on County Road 33 through Rapidan and onto the gravel portion of County Road 126 at speeds around 80 miles per hour.

Additional details were learned as the pursuit played out. Dispatch informed pursuing deputies that the truck had been reported stolen in Okoboji Iowa earlier in the day by a male consistent with the appearance of the driver and a female accomplice. Deputies were also informed that a knife was involved in that incident.

The driver lost control at the 90-degree intersection with 171st Street and rolled the truck into the ditch. The driver fled on foot into the standing cornfield and fought with deputies but was taken into custody. Deputies located a female passenger sitting in the cornfield a short distance away from the pickup and she was also taken into custody.

The driver was identified as 27-year-old Vaughn Harris of Maplewood, and the passenger was identified as 40-year-old Jessica Ann Nordrum of Farmington. Both were transported from the scene by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries and for their own safety due to statements and behavior consistent with illegal drug use. Both had warrants for their arrests from other jurisdictions.

Jessica Nordrum was transferred to the Blue Earth County Jail on related charges during the evening. Vaughn Harris remains at the hospital. The incident remains under investigation in collaboration with Okoboji Police.