Wanted Minnesota Man Accused of Ramming Rochester Police Cars Charged

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A wanted Minnesota man accused of ramming into Rochester Police cars and a civilian’s vehicle last week has now been charged. 

Read More: Police ID Suspect Who Rammed Squad Cars in Busy Rochester Area

The incident occurred shortly after noon in northwest Rochester. A foot pursuit followed the crash that prompted a lockdown at a local credit union. 

He was formally charged on Friday. An Olmsted County court filing lists him as a Rochester resident. 

Charges: Wanted Minnesota Man Rammed Rochester Squad Cars in Fleeing Attempt

The criminal complaint says Rochester Police were notified by the Lakeville Police Department that 40-year-old Manuel Hinojosa Jr., who has six active felony arrest warrants, was suspected of being in Rochester. 

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Officers found Hinojosa Jr. in a vehicle. They activated their squad vehicle’s overhead emergency lights, displayed their badges and ordered him out of the vehicle he was in, the complaint says. 

Hinojosa Jr. disregarded the officers commands and backed into a squad car. He then sped towards and rammed a second police vehicle before driving away from officers, the court document says. 

Police later found the suspect vehicle unoccupied after it had crashed into a civilian’s vehicle. A police spokesperson had previously stated the civilian-involved crash occurred near the intersection of West Circle Dr. and 41st St. Northwest. 

Witnesses reported seeing a motorist driving erratically before the collision then fleeing the scene on foot following the crash. Police then found and captured Hinojosa Jr. in a nearby field. 

A customer at Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union in the area reported the branch went into a lockdown during the search. 

Hinojosa Jr. has been charged with a felony count of fleeing police in a motor vehicle. A judge set his bail at $100,000 without conditions. 

Hinojosa Jr. is due back in court later this month.

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