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   Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on July 28th 2023 at 8:53 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a boating incident on Leech Lake near the Chase on the Lake and the City of Walker pier and docks. Information from callers indicated that a pontoon had struck a section of the dock causing significant damage to two large sections of the dock and damaged a pontoon that was tied to the dock and not occupied. The Walker Police Department arrived on the scene and learned that the suspect pontoon had left the area. Witnesses reported that a single male operator was on the watercraft and reported that he did not stop after the crash. Witnesses took several photos of the watercraft and operator and the images were circulated on social media. The pontoon and operator were not initially identified or located. There were no injuries reported from the incident. 

   On July 29th 2023, the Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous social media tip of the identify and location of the operator and suspect pontoon. Deputies responded to the location and interviewed the suspect about the incident. The suspect is now cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. When the investigation is complete, the incident will be referred to the Cass County Attorney’s Office for formal charges. The identity of the suspect will be withheld until formal charges are filed. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their assistance with the investigation.

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