According to reports, the two had connected online and decided to meet in Virginia, Minnesota. They spent part of the evening at a local bar, but according to the police affidavit, the man appeared to become upset at some point during their time there.
After leaving the bar, he offered to drive the woman home, he reportedly drove past her residence and stopped at a nearby convenience store. It was reported that when the woman tried to get out of the car, her date pulled back into the vehicle, though it’s unclear what led up to that moment or what the man’s intent may have been.
When she managed to get out, the woman began walking away. Law enforcement reports allege that the driver then steered his vehicle toward her, forcing her to move quickly out of the way, and then did so a second time. When she got to a safe place, the woman contacted a friend and called 911 to report the incident.
The police found a vehicle matching the description she gave, which they said they saw speeding away from the scene. Officers later discovered the car had been abandoned, and learned it had been reported to have been stolen in another state.
The man was located on foot and was taken into custody. He was booked into the St. Louis County Jail. He is facing preliminary charges of felony second-degree assault, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, and being in possession of stolen property. At the time this was written, it was reported that he was being held without bond. The authorities are still investigating what happened, and no formal determination of guilt has been made.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.