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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A rural Rochester man who may have been suicidal tied up several Rochester police officers and Olmsted County deputies for a few hours Thursday.

A concerned family member called 911 around 10:00 am to report the 39-year-old man had left home in his car.

The man’s first contact with police came about an hour later when he pulled up behind a parked police car. When the officer drove off, the man followed him several blocks. At the time the officer was not aware it was the same man.

The man was next spotted in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center where he caught the eye of a deputy. The deputy realized it was the man being sought and began following him.

The man then began following another city officer for several blocks before driving to RCTC. Another officer spotted him and began following him when he left the parking lot and headed east on Collegeview Rd.

Moments later the man drove through a red light at the East Circle Dr intersection and collided with a US Postal Service vehicle. He fled on foot but was caught by officers and taken to the hospital for an evaluation.

Police Capt. Casey Moilanen praised the officers involved for showing restraint as the man at times appeared to be baiting them, apparently hoping for a confrontation.

Moilanen says the officers “went out of their way to avoid using force.”

Moilanen says the man may be ticketed for several traffic violations.

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