Valley City, N.D. – Joseph Whitsett, 34, is currently in the Barnes County Jail following his arrest for an alleged assault, vehicle theft, and DUI crash in Valley City on November 25.
The incident began around 7:30 p.m., when police were called to the Cenex gas station at 807 Main Street West after reports that Whitsett had assaulted an employee. According to court records, Whitsett, who was intoxicated, violated a protection order by confronting a woman at a nearby laundromat. Fearing Whitsett’s aggression, the woman went to warn gas station employees, telling them that Whitsett was drunk and looking for a fight.
Witnesses reported that Whitsett punched one employee and threatened another before stealing the woman’s SUV. He then crashed the vehicle a few blocks away, hitting a fence and a lift station. After the crash, Whitsett fled the scene, climbing over the Sheyenne River flood wall before being arrested by police.
When questioned, Whitsett claimed that the gas station employee had “put his hands on him” during an argument, which he said was in self-defense. He could not recall the details of the argument. Police noted that Whitsett exhibited slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. When asked if he had been drinking, he admitted to consuming “a little bit.”
The stolen vehicle sustained significant damage to the passenger side, and the crash also caused damage to the lift station pump. Valley City Public Works temporarily shut down the lift station for damage assessment and repair estimates.
Whitsett faces several charges, including felony theft, criminal mischief, simple assault, disorderly conduct, DUI, driving under suspension (DUS), and tampering with or damaging a public service.
