NEW: Four arrested in Watertown on drug charges following high speed chase

July 13, 2020
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN. S.D.—Four people have been arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle, police pursuit and drug investigation in Watertown.

Officers first made contact with a vehicle in the 200-block of First Street Southwest that was being operated in a reckless manner.

The driver fled at a high rate of speed, at which point the Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

The vehicle was later found, crashed, west of Fourth Street Southwest and Second Avenue. One of the occupants, 28 year-old Elizabeth Meza of St. Paul was detained by officers, but the other occupants had fled on foot.

The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Minnesota. A search of it revealed meth, marijuana, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia.

Through their investigation, officers identified the driver of the vehicle as 33 year-old Richard Balsimo of St. Paul.

Law enforcement then searched a residence in the 1000 block of 8th Street Northwest in Watertown where Balsimo was arrested.

In the home they found marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Meza, Balsimo, and two Watertown residents, 27 year-old Travis Storbakken and 25 year-old Katie Barnes, were arrested and face various drug-related charges.