ST. PAUL — Minnesota State Patrol troopers stopped 516 vehicles for speeding during a 10-day Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) effort. Troopers also arrested 23 people for driving while impaired (DWI) and six for outstanding warrants.
HEAT patrols focused on excessive speed enforcement and criminal activity for 10 nights, beginning Feb.14. The patrols were suspended for several nights due to weather and concluded Feb.25. Patrols occurred from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. each night.
Troopers conducted HEAT patrols on roadways around Minneapolis and surrounding areas, including I-94 between I-694 and St. Paul, Highway 100 in northern Hennepin County, and Highway 494 and I-35E in the east metro.
“The goal of these HEAT patrols was to combat dangerous driving through speed enforcement, while making a difference related to violent crime.” said Colonel Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “The hard work by our troopers over the 10 days of HEAT accomplished both.”
In addition to speeding violations and DWI arrests, troopers also cited:
- 80 people for driving without a valid license.
- 22 drivers for violating the hands-free cell phone law.
- 13 drivers for failing to move over for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights activated.
- Six people for not wearing their seatbelts.
The State Patrol increased its aviation support to assist troopers on the road during the HEAT patrols, ensuring that drivers attempting to flee from a traffic stop would be located and held accountable. Incidents in which MSP Flight were involved included:
- Feb. 14 –Troopers initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle fled. MSP Flight provided location updates as the ground units discontinued the pursuit. The vehicle stopped in Minneapolis after driving on city streets for 10 minutes. The driver fled on foot. Officers on the ground took the driver into custody without incident.
- Feb. 16 - Robbinsdale PD requested assistance with a vehicle pursuit. While en route, the suspect vehicle crashed and the driver fled on foot. MSP Flight searched the area using a thermal imaging camera system. The suspect attempted to hide in a backyard. Flight provided location information and directed the local police K-9 team to the suspect who was taken into custody without incident. A gun was recovered.
- Feb. 17 - South Saint Paul PD requested assistance in locating a suspect in a domestic-abuse-no-contact violation. The suspect ran from the scene on foot. MSP Flight arrived and identified a “heat source” crouched down between a fence and a shed; it appeared to be a person hiding. Flight directed officers to the area and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
- Feb. 17 - Hennepin County Sherriff’s deputies requested assistance to search for a vehicle taken at gunpoint near Brooklyn Center. The vehicle was reported to be stopped in a fast food parking lot. MSP Flight watched the vehicle until officers arrived. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the drive-thru lane. The vehicle went into reverse and rammed a squad car. The suspects surrendered and were taken into custody without incident.
- Feb. 17 - MSP Flight assisted with a pursuit of a stolen vehicle taken at gunpoint, tracking the vehicle to an alley on Farwell Ave between Vincent Ave and Upton Ave in Minneapolis. The suspect fled on foot and entered a home on Upton Ave. Squads arrived in the area, secured the vehicle and made contact with several individuals at the residence who were taken into custody without incident.
- Feb. 17 - Washington County Sherriff’s deputies requested assistance with a pursuit in the area of Hwy 36 and Demontreville. MSP Flight followed the suspect vehicle into Wisconsin and continued to provide location updates. Flight directed officers to the three suspects who were all taken into custody.
- Feb. 19 –Chisago County Sherriff’s deputies requested MSP Flight assist with a search for a suspect that fled on foot from a traffic stop. Flight located the suspect approximately 40 yards from the K-9 team west of Forest Blvd. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
- Feb. 19 – MSP Flight assisted with a pursuit on I-494 near I-35W. Flight followed the car until it stopped voluntarily at 6th Street and 21st Ave N. The driver fled on foot and ran to a nearby business. The driver entered the business as officers were responding to the area. Officers set up a perimeter around the building, entered the building and took the suspect into custody without incident. The 19-year-old man was wanted on warrants and faces felony charges related to a shooting that occurred in Minneapolis last November.
The HEAT patrols followed a meeting with the Minnesota Police Chiefs and Sheriffs associations this month to discuss ways the State Patrol could expand its efforts to support local law enforcement agencies as they address crime in their communities.
About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Minnesota State Patrol
Nearly 600 Minnesota State Patrol troopers are the foundation of the agency that works to provide a safe environment on Minnesota’s roads by assisting motorists, taking enforcement action and educating drivers about traffic safety issues. In addition to road safety activities, troopers conduct flight patrols, search and rescue missions and assist other law enforcement agencies.
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