18-year-old Jamie Ray Barnes of Bismarck allegedly stole a 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo and led authorities on a multi-county pursuit that began in Bismarck on Friday evening and concluded in Jamestown on Saturday morning around 8:00 AM. Barnes had his first court appearance today, at 2pm.
The chase reached speeds over 100 mph on I-94 before Barnes exited at Jamestown and drove recklessly at 60 mph through residential areas. Despite law enforcement’s attempts to deploy tire deflation devices, police say Barnes evaded capture and continued driving dangerously through the city. The pursuit ended when Barnes ran a red light at 10th St. SE and 7th Ave SE, colliding with a GMC Sierra pickup driven by a Jamestown resident.
After the crash, Barnes attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended after hopping a fence and being threatened with a taser, court documents say. Three juvenile passengers (two males, one female) were in the stolen vehicle. Barnes and one passenger sustained minor injuries requiring hospital treatment.
Barnes now faces numerous charges across multiple jurisdictions, including three felonies (Theft of Property, Fleeing a Peace Officer, and Reckless Endangerment) and four misdemeanors (Aggravated Reckless Driving, DUI, Marijuana Possession, and Driving with a Suspended License). At his initial court appearance in Jamestown, the court set bail at $10,000 cash or surety bond, reduced from the state’s requested $20,000, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 11th.
Barnes, who was already on misdemeanor probation for a recent drug offense involving his friend overdosing on fentanyl, claimed this incident resulted from “a moment of panic” and poor decision-making.
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