Daring Escape: Suspect Steals Car During Police Sobriety Test

In a daring act of criminal audacity, a 39-year-old man from St. Paul is accused of stealing a car while police were conducting a field sobriety test on the vehicle's original driver. The incident, which unfolded on a Sunday evening in the heart of the city, has left authorities scrambling to piece together the details and apprehend the suspect.

Thrilling Pursuit Leads to Dramatic Capture

Suspect Seizes Opportunity During Sobriety Test

The charges filed in Ramsey County allege that a police officer had pulled over a driver for speeding near the intersection of Seventh and Jefferson streets shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday. The officer suspected the driver was intoxicated and had them exit the vehicle for field sobriety testing. It was during this critical moment that the suspect, who had been sitting on a nearby bus bench, seized the opportunity and got into the driver's seat of the vehicle.

High-Speed Chase and Technological Tracking

The officer immediately ran to the vehicle and repeatedly ordered the man to stop, but the suspect disregarded the commands and fled the area at a high rate of speed. Determined to apprehend the thief, the police utilized the vehicle owner's "Find My" app for their iPhone, which led them to Apple Valley. There, they discovered that the phone had been thrown from the vehicle. Undeterred, the authorities then used the owner's AirTag and AirPods attached to their keyring to track the vehicle to a gas station in Richfield.

Dramatic Conclusion and Suspect's Condition

When the police arrived at the gas station, the suspect fled in the vehicle once again. However, this time, the pursuit was short-lived, as officers were able to arrest the man in south Minneapolis shortly after. Charges indicate that the suspect showed "signs of narcotic intoxication," and a search warrant was executed to obtain a blood sample, the results of which were still pending at the time the charges were filed. The man's bail has been set at $20,000, and if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.