A man in Amboy, Minnesota, is facing multiple charges after allegedly leading deputies on a chase in a stolen car. The pursuit ended in a crash, and according to the sheriff’s department, a standoff followed, with the suspect attempting to pass off his cane as a rifle.
According to a press release issued by the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office (BECSO), the incident occurred on Monday, June 8. Deputies initially responded to a complaint regarding a disabled pick-up truck on State Highway 83 and Blue Earth County Road 90.
Upon arrival, deputies and state troopers found the truck abandoned. At around 7:00 a.m., the BECSO received a burglary call from a nearby residence.
Allegedly, a suspect had stolen a vehicle at the reported address. Furthermore, according to witnesses, the stolen vehicle was seen parked alongside the abandoned truck, and the driver was seen “taking stuff” from the pick-up truck and putting it in the car.
Suspect Located, Pursuit Begins
At around 8:39 a.m., deputies learned of a “suspicious vehicle” traveling near Amboy on rural property. The property owner provided a description of the vehicle, its license plate, and the driver, a male.
The Mapleton Police Department (MPD) then located the vehicle traveling on Co Rd 36, the release said. A traffic stop was attempted, but the vehicle allegedly fled at speeds of around 100 miles per hour.
Initially, the vehicle was fleeing north, the BECSO said. However, at one point, the vehicle was observed turning around and heading back south on Co Rd 36.
Deflation Devices Deployed
A deputy with the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office was in the area. Tire deflation devices were deployed in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Instead, the vehicle managed to swerve around the devices. This maneuver caused it to go into a ditch and a farm field.
The deputy followed the vehicle into the field. The driver then allegedly exited the vehicle and fired multiple rounds in the air and at the deputy while running on foot.
Cane Standoff
Law enforcement agents arrived at the scene and managed to set up a perimeter to contain the suspect. Meanwhile, as per the BECSO, the man continued to fire his weapon at the agents.
KEYC reported that the man was also allegedly trying to convince them that his cane was a rifle. He attempted to use the distance to his advantage.
Eventually, officers observed that he didn’t have a gun in his hand anymore and approached the man. He remained non-compliant, the sheriff’s office said, but he was eventually taken into custody with “less lethal tactics.” Agents allegedly found the man’s firearm buried in the field.
While the suspect remains in custody, his identity is yet to be disclosed. KEYC only reported that he is 44 years old. The case remains under investigation.