Perham Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase with 353 Grams Meth

Otter Tail County deputies arrested 55-year-old Larry McClendon Jr. after an attempted traffic stop Friday morning, December 26, that turned into a high-speed pursuit through Perham. Deputies report multiple precision immobilization technique (PIT) attempts failed, the vehicle reached speeds up to 95 miles per hour on Highway 10, and the pursuing deputy cancelled the pursuit for safety reasons before observing the vehicle slow, enter a ditch and stopping. McClendon was taken into custody at the scene.

A search of McClendon’s vehicle and backpack turned up one large and two smaller Ziploc bags of methamphetamine, plus micro-baggies and a scale. The large bag weighed 270.5 grams; the smaller bags weighed 58 grams and 24.5 grams, for a total of 353 grams (about 12.4 ounces). Prosecutors charged McClendon with first-degree possession of methamphetamine, first-degree sale of drugs and fleeing law enforcement. He made his first court appearance Monday morning.

The size of the seizure and the presence of packaging materials and a scale are important to local law enforcement and public-health officials because they indicate distribution-level activity rather than simple possession. Large single seizures carry implications beyond this arrest: they can point to broader supply chains that drive demand for local treatment services, increase strain on public-safety budgets and complicate court dockets as felony charges move through the system.

Traffic and roadway safety were also at risk during the incident. Highway 10 is a primary route through the area, and a pursuit that reached 95 miles per hour posed risks to other motorists and responders. The deputy’s decision to cancel the pursuit reflects the ongoing operational trade-offs law enforcement agencies face when balancing apprehension against public safety on busy roads.

For the community, the arrest reinforces two immediate takeaways: law enforcement continues to target distribution activity in the county, and residents may see continued enforcement actions and court proceedings in the coming weeks. The legal process now will determine charges and potential penalties as prosecutors develop their case. Longer term, officials and residents alike will be watching whether this seizure is an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern that would require increased prevention, treatment and public-safety resources.