Suspect Arrested After Threat to Kill Renville County Probation Officer

(Franklin, MN) A rural Winthrop man was arrested Friday after authorities say he threatened to kill his Renville County probation officer and fled a traffic stop in Sibley County.

On Friday morning, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Renville County Probation that a client, 64-year-old Thomas Earl McDonald, was threatening to kill his probation officer. A criminal complaint was signed and resulted in an arrest warrant being issued.

On Friday afternoon, authorities located McDonald driving a vehicle in Sibley County and attempted to stop him, but he led deputies on a high-speed, 13-mile pursuit that ended in Franklin after tire deflation devices were used.

Authorities say McDonald then refused to exit the vehicle but was removed and taken into custody by several deputies and a K-9 unit.

He was taken to Olivia Hospital for treatment of a dog bite and then taken the Renville County Jail.