The case against a Mankato man who escaped from a state-operated psychiatric hospital in Anoka and stole a police squad car has been dismissed.
Mattu K. Chuol, 24, had been charged with felony vehicle theft in connection with an incident on Jan. 30, 2020, at the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center. But Assistant Anoka County Attorney Andrea Sampson dropped the charges.
"The State dismisses the complaint in the interests of justice," she wrote in a brief filed April 7 in Anoka County District Court.
Chuol walked away from the state's largest psychiatric hospital in the 3300 block of 7th Avenue about 4:20 p.m. without permission. As police pursued him, Chuol entered one of the idling squads and drove off. He stopped a few blocks later, got out of the car and was arrested, according to a criminal complaint.
Chuol had earlier been found mentally incompetent to stand trial after being charged with burglary, threatening violence and obstructing a police officer in Blue Earth County. The cases were suspended until Chuol "is restored to competency to proceed," court documents said.
Tim Harlow

Wisconsin investment firm buys former Electrolux site in St. Cloud
Lake Elmo swimmer hospitalized from ammonia exposure in Illinois tanker crash
Bodies of two men pulled from St. Croix River

Pets blessed in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's Feast Day
