Two arrested after high-speed chase through Renville County

OLIVIA - Criminal charges have been filed against two suspects in connection with a high-speed chase Friday south of Olivia that ended when both suspects were arrested as they tried to flee by crawling through a cornfield.
The driver, identified as Bounkieng Sinthavong, 33, of Olivia, faces felony charges of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a violent crime, as well as a misdemeanor charge of fleeing a police officer by means other than a motor vehicle.
A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Ashley Kirckof, of Brooten, is charged with one felony count of fifth-degree controlled substance, a gross misdemeanor count of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of driving after suspension.
Law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions were involved in the chase and arrests, which unfolded shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday when an off-duty Renville County sheriff’s deputy spotted what appeared to be erratic and suspicious driving along 695th Avenue west of U.S. Highway 71. According to the criminal complaint filed in Renville County District Court, the off-duty deputy saw the vehicle start and stop several times, and driver and passenger changed places at least once.
The deputy, who had called for backup from an on-duty officer, was able to pull up alongside the pair and recognized both of them, the criminal complaint said. Sinthavong, who at this point was allegedly behind the wheel, did not have a valid driver’s license and Kirckof had several outstanding warrants for her arrest.
The two sped off eastward on County Road 15, pursued by the deputy in a personal vehicle. On-duty officers with the Renville County Sheriff’s Office joined the chase, which reached speeds of up to 100 miles an hour. As the chase entered Redwood County, Lower Sioux squad cars also joined the pursuit.
The chase doubled back into Renville County, then went east along 740th Avenue, down a gravel road, through a plowed field and into a field of standing corn near 350th Street.
Officers arrived at the field to find the car abandoned and empty. They then brought in a canine unit from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, to aid in the search. The criminal complaint said Sinthavong and Kirckof were eventually found crawling through the cornfield and were arrested and taken to the Renville County Jail.
A search of the vehicle uncovered several leafy plants that appeared to be marijuana and a purse containing 62.5 grams of marijuana. In the trunk was a .22-caliber rifle.
Court records said Kirckoff had a previous felony conviction for receiving stolen property. Her Minnesota driver’s license also had been suspended last month.
Sinthavong has a criminal history that includes three controlled-substance convictions and a felony domestic assault conviction. His driver’s license was revoked in March. He also has charges pending against him for fifth-degree controlled substance and theft.
Numerous agencies were called in to help with the pursuit and arrest. They included the Renville County and Redwood County Sheriff’s Offices, the Minnesota State Patrol and police departments from Olivia, Hector, Danube, Franklin and Redwood Falls.