Armed Robbery Suspect Caught After High-Speed Chase

Editor's note: The following is a news release from the Shakopee Police Department regarding the high-speed chase that started in Shakopee around midday today.

On 01/7/13 at 1129 hours, Shakopee officers responded to a report of an armed robbery by gunpoint at Famous Footwear, located at 1593 17^th Ave E. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5’7, 160-165 pounds, wearing a grey sweatshirt, jeans and blue knit cap, leaving in an unknown direction in a white SUV with teal graphics on the side. The suspect displayed a black handgun. He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and safe, and the employee’s purse and cell phone. No one was injured in the Famous Footwear robbery.

Later, an officer on routine patrol located the suspect vehicle in Shakopee and initiated a traffic stop. The suspect fled. A long pursuit ensued involving the Shakopee Police Department, Savage Police Department, Prior Lake Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the MN State Patrol. 

During the pursuit, several times, the suspect vehicle drove against the flow of traffic. He drove around numerous stop sticks that officers had deployed. Officers tried numerous times to end the pursuit by making vehicle to vehicle contact with the suspect. The suspect’s top speed during the pursuit reached approximately 95 mph. No other property damage or vehicle accidents have been reported as a result of this pursuit.

Eventually, the suspect entered the Target parking lot in Savage where he was stopped after vehicle to vehicle contact by police disabled his vehicle. At that point, a lengthy standoff took place. The suspect refused to get out of the vehicle, refused officers orders to show both his hands and told officers he had a gun in the vehicle. An officer fired multiple less lethal projectiles at the suspect. The suspect was hit multiple times, yet refused to follow officers’ commands. At one point, the suspect looked at the officer, said “shoot me” and pointed his own hand at his head. The suspect said he wanted to talk to his wife to tell her goodbye. Eventually, the suspect did exit the vehicle and surrendered to police. The suspect has been identified as a 42 years old male from Savage.

The Shakopee Police Department continues to investigate this case. His motive for robbery and fleeing is unclear right now. The vehicle was towed from the scene and is being processed for evidence.