Two Arrested in Willmar Shoplifting/Pursuit Incident

Two suspects were arrested after a shoplifting report in Willmar that turned into a high speed pursuit that ended in Pennock Tuesday afternoon.

After responding to the report of a shoplifting at a Willmar hardware store, police located the suspect vehicle. Police say 49-year-old Ricardo Gomez of Willmar fled the attempted stop. He later stopped, got out of the vehicle, and fled on foot.

The passenger, 43-year-old Jessica Bauman of Clara City, then climbed into the driver’s seat and fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. Bauman led the pursuit to Pennock where she struck a vehicle and it came to a stop. She was then arrested without further incident.

Gomez was later located and also apprehended without incident.

No injuries were reported.