ST. PAUL, MN — Authorities say a carjacking in St. Paul on Monday morning turned into a fast-moving chase that crossed into Wisconsin and ended with an arrest near Hudson. The suspect was taken into custody after abandoning the stolen SUV and running into a wooded area.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said the case began shortly before 9:45 a.m. near Snelling Avenue and University Avenue, where a woman in her 20s was sitting in her gray Mercedes-Benz GLK when a man approached, implied he had a gun and drove off with the vehicle.
Crash Stopped Escape
Investigators said the stolen Mercedes did not get far before the driver crashed into another vehicle at Western Avenue and University Avenue, then left the scene. The impact tore off the SUV’s front bumper and left behind the license plate and other identifying evidence.
St. Paul police later found the vehicle near Earl Street and Maryland Avenue, which led to an active pursuit that moved onto I-94 eastbound.
Multi-agency chase
The pursuit continued through St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Woodbury and Lakeland before crossing the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. Agencies involved included police and sheriff’s offices from both states, along with the Minnesota and Wisconsin state patrols and the Minnesota State Air Patrol.
After the suspect pulled onto the shoulder of I-94 near U.S. Highway 12, he ran into a wooded area. Deputies, troopers, K-9 teams and a Wisconsin State Patrol drone helped narrow the search and locate a person south of the search area.
Arrest and charges
Wisconsin officers arrested the suspect around 10:13 a.m. after investigators said he climbed a fence and was walking along a nearby neighborhood trail. He is expected to be extradited to Minnesota and booked into the Ramsey County Jail.
Officials said he is expected to face charges including carjacking involving an implied firearm, hit-and-run and fleeing law enforcement, with more charges possible as the case develops. The suspect has refused to identify himself, and investigators said they have not yet confirmed his identity.
From the Twin Cities to the border and back, Travel Your Way keeps Minnesota informed.