High-Speed Car Chase Ends in Crash; Two Arrested
BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA - On Thursday, January 25, 2024, just after 2 AM, officers with the Bloomington Police Department observed a 2006 Buick Lucerne driving west on 98th Street from Portland Avenue South in the City of Bloomington, Minnesota, according to a criminal complaint shared with us from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
Officers observed the vehicle impact a right-side curb. As police attempted to catch up with the vehicle to observe its driving conduct, the vehicle accelerated as it tried to flee officers after turning north on Nicollet Avenue South. Officers activated their emergency lights and siren, but the vehicle continued accelerating, reaching speeds over 90 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. According to the criminal complaint, officers continued to pursue the vehicle east on 90th Street and north on Portland Avenue South, blowing a red light at high speeds.
An officer sitting at Portland Avenue South and 86th Street observed a black male with a beard driving the 2006 Buick as it drove past the officer. The Buick's pursuit continued northbound on Portland Avenue South, west on American Boulevard, north on Nicollet Avenue South, west on Interstate 494, and eventually north on Interstate 35W. While traveling north on 35W, the vehicle took the exit for 66th Street before crashing into the bus transit shelter in Richfield, Minnesota. The result of the crash disabled the vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, while traveling on Interstate 494, speeds for the chase exceeded 100 MPH. The overall pursuit was about five miles long. The estimated cost of damages to the transit station was not available. Richfield Officers assisted Bloomington Officers at the crash scene but did not assist in the pursuit.
The Bloomington Police Department arrested two people. One of those individuals was identified as 27-year-old James Purifoy, who was said to be the driver of the Buick. The Hennepin County Attorney's Officer officially charged Purifoy with Felony Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, which comes with a three-year and one-day sentence and/or a fine of $5,000 according to the complaint. Purifoy also had a warrant for his arrest out of the state of Wisconsin for fleeing in a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. Purifoy remains in Hennepin custody with bail set at $20,000. His next court appearance is set for February 26, 2024.
The second person was identified as 28-year-old Kiera James, who was arrested for 5th-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the police report provided to us by the Bloomington Police Department. We do not have a record of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office officially charging her, but we will update this story if that information is available.
Hennepin County Sheriff
