Police Pursuit Ends in Arrest After Suspect Tries to Pick Up Friend at Inver Grove Heights Police Department
Provide by County Commissioner Joe Atkins with photo credit to IGHPD, Dakota County Jail inmate search
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA - According to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, officers were on a routine business check on the night of September 1, 2024, which led to a surprising chain of events that culminated in a police pursuit and multiple arrests.
At around midnight, a DWI officer on patrol, accompanied by another officer, discovered two individuals slumped over in a vehicle parked in the 7800 block of Cahill Avenue in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Upon investigation, the passenger was found to have outstanding warrants and was promptly arrested. The driver, who was also arrested for a drug-related DWI, was taken to the IGHPD Detention Center, where they were set to be released to a sober party after a search warrant was granted and a sample was obtained.
According to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, the driver contacted a friend who agreed to pick them up from the police department. However, what transpired next was something out of a crime drama. The friend arrived at the police department in a Chevy pickup truck, but the vehicle’s license plates were registered to a Toyota minivan. Additionally, it was discovered that the vehicle was stolen, and the friend had three outstanding warrants across multiple counties.
When the friend handed over his Minnesota ID card to the DWI officer, it was confirmed that he was wanted in several counties. Despite knowing about his warrants, the suspect still showed up to assist his friend. As the officer attempted to take him into custody, the suspect suddenly accelerated, injuring the officer in the process. The injured officer sustained minor injuries, but a backup officer quickly arrived to assist. After checking on his partner, the officers entered a squad car and pursued the fleeing suspect. The pursuit headed northbound on Highway 52 and lasted only a few minutes before a South St. Paul Police Department officer successfully executed a PIT maneuver, ending the chase.
Three individuals were found inside the vehicle, two of whom were determined to be uninvolved, and were subsequently released without charges. The suspect, however, was booked into Dakota County Jail on multiple new charges, including assault on a peace officer and fleeing in a motor vehicle.
The IGHPD expressed their gratitude to their law enforcement partners, including the South St. Paul and West St. Paul Police Departments, Minnesota State Patrol, St. Paul Police Department, and MHealth EMS, for their assistance in this dynamic and dangerous situation.
According to the IGHPD, in the past few months, the IGHPD’s DWI officer in this story has made three arrests, including this one, that began in the parking lot of the police department. Two of those incidents ended up resulting in vehicle pursuits.
County Commissioner Joe Atkins Shares Tips for Criminal Defendants
In response to the incident, Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins shared some tongue-in-cheek advice for criminal defendants:
If you are wanted for crimes in multiple counties, avoid visiting the Inver Grove Heights Police Department to pick up a friend in the middle of the night.
Do not arrive in a stolen vehicle.
Do not drive a Chevy pickup with license plates registered to a Toyota minivan.
Do not flee the scene.
Get comfortable at the Dakota County Jail—you may be there for a while.
Commissioner Atkins also extended his best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured officer and commended all the law enforcement agencies involved in the successful pursuit and arrest, and reminded the community about a local first responders cookout to thank local first responders for their for all that they do for our community. More information on that below!
Community Invited to Hometown Heroes Cookout
The community is invited to show their appreciation for local first responders at the 4th Annual Hometown Heroes Cookout on Thursday, September 5th, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at Simley High School. The event will feature free burgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, and a performance by the Simley Marching Band. A helicopter landing is scheduled for around 5:00 PM, and free t-shirts will be given to the first 100 attendees. Sponsors for the event include Hometown Meats, Republic Services, Swanson Meats, and Hometown Sweets.
For more information, including publicly available photos and details on the suspects, visit the Dakota County Jail inmate search page. Please note that criminal defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Written by: Will Wight
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