Traffic Stop Leads to Pursuit and Arrest of Velva Man in Ward County

A traffic stop in southeast Minot early Sunday morning led to a pursuit through rural Ward County, ending in the arrest of a Velva man.

According to the Minot Police Department, the incident began around 12:32 a.m. on April 27, 2025, when an officer attempted to stop a Chevrolet pickup for speeding and drifting in and out of its lane. The officer suspected the driver was impaired.

The driver fled from the marked patrol vehicle, prompting a pursuit that extended into rural areas of Ward County. The Ward County Sheriff’s Office joined the chase, which lasted more than 50 minutes and covered back roads and fields before the suspect’s vehicle became stuck in a slough.

The driver, identified as Jamey Douglas Reiswig, 50, of Velva, North Dakota, was reportedly uncooperative. Authorities said he refused to exit the vehicle, ignored commands, and made several violent comments.

Reiswig faces multiple charges, including DUI (4th offense, a Class C felony), fleeing from law enforcement in a motor vehicle (2nd offense, a Class C felony), and driving under revocation (1st offense, a Class B misdemeanor).

He was taken into custody and transported to the Ward County Jail.