Arrest made in Dalquist case
A 24-year-old Brainerd man was arrested Monday night at the Law Enforcement Center in Brainerd in connection with the disappearance of Erika Dalquist, who was last seen Oct. 30 in downtown Brainerd.
Brainerd Police Chief John Bolduc said this morning, "We have one person in custody. We have not recovered a body."
He said the case will be presented to the Crow Wing County attorney's office for consideration of charges.
He declined to release further information until formal charges are filed.
Bolduc said the ongoing investigation into Dalquist's disappearance "turned up some recent information."
The suspect being held in the Crow Wing County Jail is William Gene Myears.
Bolduc said he believes Dalquist and the suspect "may have been acquaintances."
"This is certainly a positive step," Bolduc said this morning. "There's much work left to be done however. We'll continue the investigation."
Dalquist's mother, Colleen Dalquist, declined to comment this morning.
Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang said he hoped to have additional information to release later today.
Klang said, "We're obviously pleased" with the arrest in this case, adding law enforcement officials want to "bring some closure for everyone."
He said law enforcement officials continue to follow up on all leads and continue the search for Dalquist. He also said law enforcement officials were waiting for statements to be transcribed.
Bolduc said he planned to use about a dozen law enforcement officials today to conduct a ground search for clues into Dalquist's disappearance.
Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan declined to comment on this case.
The suspect must be arraigned or released within 36 hours of his arrest. If charges are filed, he would need to be arraigned by 1 p.m. Wednesday, Ryan said.
Dalquist was last seen Oct. 30 with an unidentified white male with brown hair outside of Tropical Nites bar in downtown Brainerd near the intersection of Eighth and Laurel streets. Bolduc said the suspect being held generally meets the description given by witnesses of the man last seen with Dalquist.
Since Dalquist's disappearance, several major searches have been conducted. Investigators have said they believe Dalquist is the victim of foul play.
According to the Crow Wing County court administrator's office, Myears has been charged with several crimes, primarily misdemeanors. He has faced charges, between 1997-2001, of fifth-degree assault, theft, trespassing and disorderly conduct.