Two Fergus Falls Men Arrested After Stolen-Vehicle Pursuits in Otter Tail County

Rene Torres, 41, and Rafael Buenfil, 42, were taken into custody after two distinct stolen-vehicle pursuits in Otter Tail County this month — Torres near New York Mills and Buenfil in Fergus Falls and along I-94 near the Big Chief Truck Stop. Authorities say both cases led to felony charges and county detention.

Sheriff’s office records show deputies received a call “around 9:02 a.m. Friday” about a potentially stolen vehicle south of New York Mills on Feb. 27. “The stolen vehicle was located by deputies a short time later, at which point the driver, Rene Torres, attempted to flee,” the sheriff’s office news release said. Deputies “utilized tire deflation devices and a pursuit intervention technique to bring the vehicle to a stop,” the release added. Torres was arrested without incident and is being held at the Otter Tail County Detention Facility on counts listed by the sheriff as motor vehicle theft, fleeing in a motor vehicle and third-degree burglary. The Minnesota State Patrol, New York Mills Fire Department and Astera Ambulance assisted the sheriff’s department at the scene.

The second case began in Fergus Falls on March 28 when a police officer spotted a white Lexus with temporary dealer plates speeding on South Cascade Street. Court documents describe the initial encounter and state, “The officer attempted a traffic stop, but despite travelling 45 miles per hour, the Lexus was pulling away from them.” The Lexus ignored a stop sign, turned onto Highway 210 and accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour before the Fergus Falls officer discontinued the chase after the vehicle turned onto Pebble Lake Road. A State Trooper later observed the Lexus turn onto Big Chief Road, a dead end; officers found the vehicle unoccupied at the Big Chief Truck Stop and located Rafael Buenfil at a nearby gas station. Court records note “He had been seen getting into the vehicle shortly before the pursuit.”

Investigators tied the Lexus to a Richfield dealership that reported the vehicle stolen after a March 26 test drive during which staff said Buenfil did not return the car or keys. Officers recovered a baggie containing 14.8 grams of methamphetamine inside the Lexus, and charges filed in Otter Tail County District Court include fleeing law enforcement, third-degree controlled substance possession and failure to fulfill registration as a predatory offender. Court documents also list prior convictions for drug possession and fleeing law enforcement in Buenfil’s record. Buenfil remains in custody at the Otter Tail County Jail as the district court proceeds.

The two incidents have separate dates, vehicles and charges and should not be conflated: sheriff’s office material places the Torres pursuit in late February with a morning call time, while the Fergus Falls police and court documents place the Lexus pursuit and subsequent arrest on March 28 with speeds topping 100 mph. Both cases are active in the Otter Tail County legal system; charging documents and county detention records will show arraignment dates, bond status and the precise statutory language prosecutors used.