Rochester Woman Charged for Friday Night Police Chase

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester woman accused of leading Olmsted County Sheriff’s Deputies on a pursuit throughout southern Rochester made her first appearance in Olmsted County Court Monday. 

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Bail was set at $150,000 for 25-year-old 25-year-old Arak Warwien. The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has charged her with felony fleeing, felony DWI test refusal, and misdemeanor counts for fleeing on foot, reckless driving and driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety. 

The charges accuse Warwien of refusing to pull over for a sheriff’s deputy who reported the vehicle she was driving had a malfunctioning brake light and expired registration. Warwien led the deputy on an approximately six-mile chase that started near the Hwy. 52/Marion Rd. interchange and ended when she fled the vehicle on foot in the 3700 block of Willow Heights Dr. Southwest. 

Warwien was eventually tased and taken into custody. The deputy reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Warwien while he was talking to her, according to the criminal complaint. 

Authorities attempted to read the Breath Test Advisory to Warwien but she ignored the deputy and refused to answer questions despite being told refusing a DWI test is an additional crime. Court records indicate Warwien has been convicted of DWI in Olmsted County in 2015, 2016 and 2018. 

Warwien remains in custody at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Her next court appearance is set for December 27.