High Speed Chase Followed Assault on State Trooper on I-90
Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News) - A State Trooper was transported to a hospital in Blue Earth this afternoon after he was assaulted during a traffic stop on I-90. A statement from the State Patrol indicates the traffic stop occurred along the freeway east of Blue Earth.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Minnesota State Patrol are with our trooper tonight,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “We want to thank all law enforcement involved in the search for the suspects and are grateful the suspects are in custody and off the streets.”
The trooper was described as conscious and alert when he was transported from the scene.
The statement says the occupants of the vehicle stopped by the trooper took part in the assault and then sped away from the scene. Reports indicate the suspects were pursued as they traveled east on I-90 at speeds exceeding 100 miles-per-hour, but the pursuit was called off after the vehicle entered Albert Lea, where a post by the Albert Lea Police Department on Facebook indicated multiple bundles of marijuana were thrown out of the vehicle during the chase.
The State Patrol says the vehicle was located abandoned in Albert Lea and police later arrested two suspects at an Albert Lea bar. Their names have not been released.