Authorities have identified the driver who allegedly fled police during an attempted traffic stop, crashed his car, stole another one and crashed it into a squad car before being arrested in Dakota County.
Michael Dennis Jerry, of St. Paul Park, remains jailed Sunday without bail pending a court appearance. Jerry was wanted on a felony warrant from the state Department of Corrections.
He has a lengthy rap sheet spanning nearly three decades. His record in Minnesota includes convictions three times for assault, twice for escape, once for fleeing police, and once for burglary, motor vehicle theft, drunken driving and possessing drug paraphernalia. He's also been cited for speeding eight times.
According to Eagan police:
Just before 5:30 p.m. Friday, an officer tried to stop a vehicle registered to Jerry. He sped away from officers, sending other motorists scrambling to get out of the way before he crashed in Inver Grove Heights.
Jerry ran from the car into a nearby neighborhood; two other occupants of the car were taken into custody.
The driver then stole another vehicle and was arrested in Inver Grove Heights after he crashed it into a squad car.
He was taken to a hospital for evaluation and then to jail. One officer was treated for minor injuries suffered during the foot chase.
