Four people were arrested Thursday afternoon in south Minneapolis after authorities stopped a stolen vehicle that had been involved in several dangerous incidents earlier in the day.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when a white Jeep, reported stolen from Maple Grove, was linked to multiple crimes, including vehicle tampering and reckless driving throughout the day. Authorities say the same vehicle was later involved in at least one incident in which people were threatened with guns.
Detectives with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF) eventually located the stolen Jeep in the afternoon. When officers tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver refused to stop and sped away, prompting a pursuit. The Minnesota State Patrol joined the chase to assist in safely stopping the suspects.
To end the chase, officers deployed stop sticks—spiked devices designed to puncture tires and disable fleeing vehicles. The move worked, forcing the Jeep to slow down and eventually stop near Aldrich Avenue South and West 28th Street in south Minneapolis.
However, as the vehicle was coming to a stop, chaos broke out inside. Authorities said the driver jumped out of the Jeep and attempted to run, but one of the passengers moved into the driver’s seat and accidentally struck the fleeing suspect before the car came to a complete halt. Officers quickly surrounded the scene and took all four individuals into custody.
A photographer from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS captured video of investigators processing the area after the arrests, showing the damaged Jeep and several law enforcement vehicles surrounding it. Police searched the car and the immediate area, recovering six firearms believed to have been inside the stolen vehicle.
Two of the suspects were taken to the hospital for treatment following the arrest, though authorities did not immediately specify the nature or severity of their injuries. The remaining suspects were transported to the Hennepin County Jail for questioning as the investigation continues.
Officials did not release the names or ages of the individuals involved but confirmed that multiple criminal charges are expected, including auto theft, fleeing police, and weapons offenses.
The Sheriff’s Office praised the coordinated effort between its Violent Offender Task Force and the Minnesota State Patrol for safely ending the chase without any serious injuries to the public or officers. The department also emphasized its ongoing commitment to reducing gun-related crimes and vehicle thefts across Hennepin County, noting that stolen cars are frequently linked to more serious criminal activity.
Authorities are continuing to investigate where the suspects obtained the firearms and whether the group is connected to other recent crimes in the Twin Cities area. The recovered Jeep will be processed for evidence as part of the case.
Residents near the scene expressed relief that the situation ended without further violence, as the chase and arrest happened in a busy neighborhood. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone who witnesses vehicle thefts, reckless driving, or gun-related incidents to report them immediately to help prevent similar situations in the future.
