Two Rochester Squad Cars Damaged During Slow Speed Chase
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was arrested on a list of charges early Sunday after a Rochester police officer was dragged and two police squad cars were hit by his vehicle as he was fleeing from the parking lot of a local business.
Police Lieutenant Gretchen O’Neill says officers were called to the McDonald’s restaurant along 48th Street Southwest around 1 AM to check on a suspicious person report. The staff at the restaurant reported the man was in a vehicle parked in front of the business and they were afraid to close and leave for the night.
The responding officers identified the man as 34-year-old Bradley James Richards and informed him that there was an active apprehension order for his arrest. The police report says Richards made a phone call to arrange for someone to come and get his car, but then put the key in the ignition and began to drive away. One of the officers was dragged a short distance when Richards drove off and two police vehicles were hit by his car as he exited the parking lot at the McDonalds.
Lieutenant O’Neill says Richards was pursued, while he drove at or below the speed limit, until he stopped in the parking lot at the Seneca Foods warehouse on 20th Street Southeast and was arrested as he was exiting his car. Police searched the vehicle and found an unreported amount of methamphetamine. Richards is currently being held on a list of charges, including fleeing police, a felony-level drug charge, and multiple probation violations.