Dangerous driver tracked by police rams squad cars, breaks into house, threatens family

A police pursuit and subsequent standoff ended in a north Minneapolis neighborhood on Tuesday with the arrest of a 34-year-old man.

In a statement from Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, investigators working on its "Operation Safe Summer III enforcement" found an occupied stolen vehicle in north Minneapolis and initiated a traffic stop along with Minneapolis police officers.

The chase was abandoned due to "dangerous driving conditions," with a law enforcement helicopter taking over and tracking the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes as the driver drove haphazardly throughout north Minneapolis.

Tire deflation devices were used to attempt to slow the vehicle down, but they did not work.

When the stolen car was driven into an alley on the 3400 block between Knox Avenue North and Logan Avenue North, police tried to box the car in, causing the suspect to start ramming the squad cars.

While officers finally blocked him in, the suspect fled on foot, breaking into a home at the 3400 block of Logan Avenue North.

He threatened them with a knife inside the home, but all three adults in the house were able to escape.

Police created a perimeter around the home, and around three hours and 10 minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the home and was quickly arrested.

He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he is currently being evaluated and is facing charges of felony 2nd-degree assault, fleeing an officer, and receiving/concealing stolen property.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.