CARVER COUNTY MN: A 28-year-old man is facing three felony charges after authorities say he fled Carver County deputies in a stolen vehicle, continuing to drive despite multiple stop stick deployments that caused tires to come off the vehicle.

Trent Nathanie Prescott is charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle in connection with the Aug. 20 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, a Carver County Sheriff's Office deputy spotted the vehicle at approximately 11:55 p.m. traveling eastbound on Highway 212 near County Road 51 with a headlight out. A registration check showed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of St. Paul.

The deputy waited for backup before activating his emergency lights. The vehicle initially continued at approximately 63 mph in a 65 mph zone and allegedly refused to stop.

According to the complaint, the vehicle hit a set of stop sticks and slowed to approximately 17 mph, appearing as though it was going to pull over. Its front tires appeared flat and were emitting smoke, but the driver allegedly accelerated away again.

Authorities deployed two additional sets of stop sticks, but the vehicle continued fleeing. Multiple tires eventually came off and went into the ditch, according to the complaint.

The driver allegedly continued onto Highway 41, attempted to maneuver around law enforcement vehicles and jumped a curb to travel in the opposite lane before eventually striking a median and coming to a stop.

The driver then allegedly fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers ordered him to show his hands, and he stopped running and surrendered, according to the complaint.

The driver was identified as Prescott. Authorities say he did not have a valid driver's license and declined to provide a statement.

The complaint states Prescott was on probation for a previous auto theft conviction at the time of the incident and also lists several other prior felony convictions.

The allegations against Prescott in the new case have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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SAINT PAUL MN: A 22-year-old man is accused of fleeing police on a motorized mini-bike through downtown St. Paul early Friday morning, allegedly traveling in the wrong lane toward oncoming traffic before driving onto a sidewalk to avoid a squad car.

According to the criminal complaint, a St. Paul police officer on patrol spotted the mini-bike at approximately 12:40 a.m. Aug. 21 after allegedly seeing the driver travel through a red light at Seventh and Minnesota streets. Police also noted the mini-bike did not have a license plate.

At Seventh and Cedar streets, the officer activated the squad car's emergency lights and then its siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, according to the complaint.

The driver allegedly failed to stop and instead made a series of turns through downtown St. Paul.

The complaint alleges the mini-bike eventually traveled eastbound on Seventh Street near Jackson Street in the wrong lane of traffic.

As a squad car approached the mini-bike head-on, the driver allegedly began driving on the sidewalk. According to the complaint, as the driver attempted to swerve around the squad car, an officer pulled him from the mini-bike.

The driver was identified as 22-year-old Mar Dah Well, according to the complaint.

Court records cited in the complaint state that Well was found guilty following a court trial in May 2026 of first-degree DWI in a separate Ramsey County case. He is scheduled to be sentenced in that case on Sept. 28.

The allegations in the new criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Well is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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APPLE VALLEY: A tree-trimming worker has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of a coworker during a job in Apple Valley. According to the criminal complaint, the worker told police he had been maneuvering a hydraulic grapple to make its shadow appear to grab his coworker’s shadow when the fatal incident occurred.

Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, is charged in Dakota County District Court with one felony count of second-degree manslaughter — culpable negligence creating an unreasonable risk — in connection with the Aug. 20 death of 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch.

Apple Valley police said officers, firefighters and Allina paramedics were dispatched at approximately 7:10 p.m. to the 5200 block of 132nd Street West for a medical emergency. Callers reported that a tree-trimming crew was working at a home in the neighborhood and that one of the workers had suffered a severe head injury.

Police said officers arrived and determined the 26-year-old worker had died.

According to the criminal complaint, officers found Lynch on the ground with significant head trauma near a hydraulic grapple mounted on the back of a tree-trimming truck.

Crimmins and Lynch were both employed by the tree-trimming service and had arrived in Apple Valley a few hours earlier after completing a job in Plymouth, according to the complaint.

Crimmins allegedly told officers that he was the only member of the crew with a commercial driver's license and was responsible for driving the truck and operating its boom. He told police he was not aware of any mechanical problems with the truck or boom.

At the time of the incident, Crimmins was seated on top of the boom operating the equipment while Lynch was on the ground cleaning up branches, according to the probable cause statement.

Crimmins allegedly told officers that he and Lynch were “f**king around” after noticing that sunlight was casting shadows of both Lynch and the grapple onto the street.

According to the complaint, Crimmins said he began maneuvering the grapple while watching the shadows, attempting to make it appear as though the grapple's shadow was grabbing Lynch's shadow.

The complaint alleges Crimmins was looking at the shadows rather than Lynch or the actual grapple and did not see that the equipment was moving toward Lynch's head.

Crimmins then closed the grapple, causing fatal injuries to Lynch, according to the complaint.

A witness told officers they saw the grapple move toward Lynch and either strike or pinch his head, causing significant injuries.

Apple Valley police said officers and detectives interviewed witnesses and determined that two employees had been handling the equipment at the time of the incident. Crimmins, identified by police as the operator, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree manslaughter and transported to the Dakota County Jail.

Police said the investigation was continuing because the death occurred at a jobsite involving heavy equipment. Apple Valley Fire, Allina EMS, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and OSHA were assisting or supporting the investigation.

Prosecutors allege Crimmins caused Lynch's death through culpable negligence by creating an unreasonable risk and consciously taking chances of causing death or great bodily harm.

Second-degree manslaughter is a felony in Minnesota and carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

The allegations against Crimmins are contained in a criminal complaint and have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Published: August 21, 2026

APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Firefighters from Apple Valley and Rosemount responded Thursday afternoon to a confirmed fire involving a trash compactor outside the Target store along Pilot Knob Road, prompting a second-alarm response as crews worked to keep the flames from spreading to the building.

The Apple Valley Fire Department was dispatched around 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2026, to the Target at 15560 Pilot Knob Road for a fire on the northeast side, toward the rear, involving a trash compactor. Responding firefighters confirmed a working fire involving the compactor. The Rosemount Fire Department also responded to assist Apple Valley crews.

At approximately 1:21 p.m., the incident was upgraded to a second alarm, with additional Apple Valley firefighters called back to provide more personnel and resources.

Trash Compactor Pulled Away From Store

Apple Valley Fire Chief Matt Nelson said firefighters requested assistance from Dick's Valley Service to move the burning trash compactor away from the building.

According to Nelson, moving the compactor served two purposes: it gave firefighters better access to the fire and helped prevent the flames from potentially spreading into the Target store. Once the compactor had been moved a safe distance away from the building, crews with Dick's Valley Service tipped the container, allowing firefighters to gain better access to its contents and completely extinguish the fire. The response successfully kept the fire contained to the trash compactor.

Nelson said there were no injuries associated with the incident, and damage was limited to the compactor. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Apple Valley Fire Thanks Rosemount, Dick's Valley Service

Following the incident, the Apple Valley Fire Department publicly thanked the Rosemount Fire Department and Dick's Valley Service for assisting with the response.

“We are grateful for the strong partnerships we share with our neighboring departments and local businesses,” the department said in a Facebook post.

The department specifically recognized Rosemount firefighters for their mutual-aid response and Dick's Valley Service for helping crews safely move and tip the burning compactor, allowing firefighters to fully extinguish the fire.

The incident highlights the role mutual-aid departments and local businesses can play during emergency responses, particularly when specialized equipment is needed to help firefighters safely access and contain a fire. No injuries were reported, and officials said the fire did not spread into the Target store.

Written by: Will Wight

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Published: August 21, 2026

APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A five-vehicle chain-reaction crash caused an early-morning emergency response along northbound Highway 77 in Apple Valley on Friday, though authorities say no injuries were reported.

According to information provided by the Minnesota State Patrol, troopers were dispatched at approximately 6:46 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, to the crash on northbound Highway 77, also known as Cedar Avenue, near 127th Street (Palomino Drive). The State Patrol said all five vehicles involved were traveling northbound in the left lane when traffic ahead of them suddenly slowed.

According to investigators, the lead vehicle, a Ram 1500 pickup truck, slowed quickly after another vehicle entered the left lane in front of it. That slowdown led to a series of rear-end collisions involving the vehicles traveling behind the Ram.

Five Vehicles Involved in Chain-Reaction Crash

The State Patrol said a Ford Transit van collided with a Ford F-150 in a rear-end crash. The force of that collision pushed the F-150 forward and into the rear of the Ram 1500. The collisions continued behind those vehicles when a BMW sedan rear-ended the Ford Transit van.

A Subaru Legacy, traveling behind the BMW, then rear-ended the BMW, according to the State Patrol. In total, five vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crash: the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, Ford Transit van, BMW sedan and Subaru Legacy.

Despite the number of vehicles involved, no injuries were reported at the scene, according to the State Patrol. The Ford Transit van and BMW sustained enough damage that both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

Multiple Agencies Respond

In addition to Minnesota State Patrol troopers, the Apple Valley Police Department, Apple Valley Fire Department and Allina Health responded to the crash. The collision occurred during the Thursday morning commute along Highway 77, a major north-south route through Apple Valley and the southern Twin Cities metro, which is also currently undergoing a major multi-year MnDOT construction project in portions of Apple Valley and Eagan that has closed the left lane.

The Minnesota State Patrol is handling the crash investigation.

Written by: Will Wight

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SHAKOPEE: A man has been charged with two felonies after authorities allege he entered a Shakopee tow yard, took an impounded pickup truck and rammed it through a gate, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Eric Andrew Hanson, 40, is charged in Scott County District Court with third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal damage to property. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

According to the criminal complaint, Shakopee police were dispatched to Shakopee Towing at approximately 7:38 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2025, after receiving a report that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado had been taken from the tow yard about 15 minutes earlier.

The tow yard manager told police the person responsible had allegedly jumped a fence and walked to the truck, which had recently been impounded by Shakopee police. The complaint states that keys are left inside vehicles stored in the tow yard.

Police reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed the Silverado drive up to the tow yard's front gate and strike it once before backing up and ramming through it on a second attempt.

The gate was severely bent and damaged, and part of the truck's passenger-side mirror was allegedly left behind at the scene.

According to the complaint, the truck had previously been sold or traded to Hanson around Christmas 2024, although the vehicle was still registered to its previous owner at the time of the alleged incident.

The following day, Farmington police located the Silverado at Hanson's residence, according to the complaint. Police recovered the truck and later documented damage to its passenger side, including a broken mirror, dents and several large scrapes.

An officer wrote that the damage was consistent with surveillance footage showing the truck ramming through the tow yard gate.

Shakopee Towing later provided police with an itemized repair quote for the damaged gate. According to the complaint, replacing the gate was quoted at $7,250, with an additional option of $9,970 to replace the existing gate operator.

Police later spoke with Hanson by phone on March 24. According to the complaint, Hanson denied knowing anything about the theft and claimed he found the truck with the keys inside after being notified by someone from Canterbury. Police said Hanson did not identify the person who allegedly contacted him, and the account was not substantiated.

The complaint states that vehicle records showed Hanson transferred the truck's registration into his name on Feb. 12, 2025, approximately one month after the alleged incident.

Police subsequently obtained historical cell phone location data for Hanson's phone. According to the complaint, the data placed the phone in the immediate area of Shakopee Towing between approximately 4:51 a.m. and 7:51 a.m. on Jan. 12.

The complaint alleges that the location data corroborated surveillance footage showing the truck ramming the tow yard gate at approximately 7:30 a.m.

Hanson is charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly entering the tow yard without consent and committing a theft while inside. He is also charged with first-degree criminal damage to property for allegedly causing more than $1,000 in damage.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Hanson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Published: August 20, 2026 | Updated: August 21, 2026 at 6:25 am.

FARMINGTON, MN: A report of a person with a weapon on the grounds of Farmington High School prompted a large emergency response Thursday afternoon, but authorities later determined the suspected weapon was actually a media tripod and that there was no threat to the school.

The report came in at approximately 2:15 p.m., prompting the Farmington Police Department to respond to the school grounds. Police located the person involved and determined the individual was carrying a media tripod, not a weapon, and was not considered dangerous. Someone who was in the school at the time of the incident reports to Limitless Media News that today was picture day for the sports teams.

Farmington Fire Department, Lakeville Fire Drone Team, the Minnesota State Patrol, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeville Police Department and Burnsville Police Department also responded to assist.

Officials said there was no threat to students or staff, and the scene has since been cleared.

Police Chief Nate Siem stated, “Today’s coordinated response demonstrates the strength of the partnership among Dakota County agencies and the school district. What began as a report of our greatest fear also demonstrated the courage, preparedness and professionalism of our officers, as well as the importance of training together for situations like this.”

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HENNEPIN COUNTY: A general contractor is facing three felony theft-by-swindle charges in Hennepin County after prosecutors allege he accepted more than $10,000 from homeowners for renovation work, failed to complete portions of the project and used customer payments for personal day-to-day expenses.

Brian John Kalenberg, 37, is charged with three counts of felony theft by swindle in connection with work at a home in Independence, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

The allegations stem from a May 14 report to the West Hennepin Public Safety Department. According to the complaint, the homeowners told officers they had paid Kalenberg a total of $10,200 while he was working as their general contractor.

The complaint alleges the homeowners paid $4,000 for the installation of egress windows in the lower level of their home and another $6,200 for structural drawings beginning in the fall of 2025.

More than six months later, the homeowners alleged the work had not been completed and eventually canceled their contract with Kalenberg.

According to the probable cause statement, masonry work associated with the egress windows had been completed by a subcontractor, but the windows themselves were allegedly never installed.

The homeowners also told police that a separate subcontractor, identified in the complaint as AST Engineering, had completed structural drawings for the project. However, the homeowners allegedly could not obtain the final drawings because the engineering company had not been paid.

When contacted by an investigator, Kalenberg allegedly said he had used the $6,200 provided for the structural drawings to purchase specialty lumber and other supplies for the homeowners' project. He also allegedly told the investigator that he stopped working on the property after the homeowners terminated their contract.

According to the complaint, Kalenberg told the investigator that he used his personal bank account as his business bank account.

Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for Kalenberg's bank records. Prosecutors allege a review of those records showed no purchases of specialty lumber or other relevant supplies before the contract was canceled.

Instead, according to the complaint, the bank records allegedly showed Kalenberg repeatedly used payments from the homeowners to cover his day-to-day expenses.

Kalenberg is charged with two felony counts of theft by swindle involving property or services valued at more than $5,000 and a third felony theft-by-swindle count involving a value between $1,000 and $5,000.

The two more serious counts each carry a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. The third count carries a maximum potential sentence of five years and/or a $10,000 fine.

The charges are allegations. Kalenberg is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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Published: August 19, 2026 | Updated August 20, 2026 at 6:45 am.

EAGAN, MINNESOTA: More than a month after gunfire erupted during an apparent road rage confrontation on I-35E in Eagan, prosecutors have charged a 20-year-old Savage man with five felonies, after investigators allege traffic cameras, cellphone location data, surveillance footage and evidence recovered from a storage unit helped connect him to the shooting.

Antonio Carlos Grajeda Jr., 20, of Savage, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with two counts of felony drive-by shooting toward an occupied motor vehicle or building and three counts of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Antonio Carlos Grajeda Jr. is now in custody as of Wednesday night, August 19, 2026, per the Dakota County Jail roster.

The charges stem from the July 11 shooting on northbound I- 35E near Diffley Road in Eagan, an incident Limitless Media News first reported as it unfolded. No injuries were reported in the shooting, but prosecutors now allege two separate vehicles carrying a total of three people were struck by gunfire.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations. Grajeda is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Road Rage Encounter Allegedly Escalates to Gunfire

According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched at approximately 5:16 p.m. on July 11, 2026, for a weapons call on northbound I-35E near Deerwood Drive in Eagan, Minnesota. Investigators initially encountered a woman, identified in court documents as Victim 3, whose vehicle was stopped along the interstate.

The woman told investigators she had been driving northbound when she noticed a white pickup truck swerving through traffic before getting behind a gray sedan. According to the complaint, the gray sedan repeatedly swerved, preventing the white pickup from passing, and the two vehicles nearly collided.

Near Diffley Road, the white pickup eventually passed the sedan. That was when the encounter allegedly turned into a shooting. Victim 3 told investigators she heard approximately four or five gunshots. She attempted to move away from the pickup but then heard glass breaking, prompting her to pull onto the shoulder and call 911.

After stopping, she realized her vehicle had apparently been struck by a projectile.

Officers examining her vehicle observed a dent in the hood and impact damage to the windshield, according to the complaint. Investigators determined the projectile had come from in front of the woman's vehicle. Police also recovered a spent 9mm shell casing from the left shoulder of northbound I-35E shortly before the Diffley Road intersection.

Gray Sedan Also Struck Multiple Times

Investigators were then directed to a nearby business, where they located a second vehicle allegedly struck by the gunfire. That vehicle, a gray sedan, had been occupied by two people identified in the complaint as Victim 1 and Victim 2. Victim 1 told investigators he was driving northbound on I-35E when a white pickup approached from behind and began "messing with him," according to the complaint.

When the pickup eventually passed his sedan on the passenger side, Victim 1 told investigators he made an obscene hand gesture toward the pickup's driver. He then heard gunfire and realized someone was shooting at his vehicle, according to the complaint. The passenger, Victim 2, told investigators he had been asleep in the front passenger seat but woke up when he heard the shots.

Police impounded the gray sedan and later searched the vehicle. Investigators allegedly identified four suspected bullet defects. According to the complaint, one projectile struck the front hood and traveled through the engine compartment. Another struck the passenger-side door below the side mirror. Investigators recovered a silver-colored projectile and copper-colored jacket from inside that door.

Two additional defects were discovered in the hood and windshield, which investigators believed had been caused by the same projectile. Despite the gunfire striking both vehicles, authorities reported no injuries.

Traffic Cameras Lead Investigators to White Ford F-150

As the investigation continued, police reviewed traffic-camera footage from the area around the time of the shooting. According to the complaint, investigators identified a white Ford F-150 as the suspected vehicle and determined it was registered to Grajeda.

Police were allegedly able to track the pickup on cameras both before and after the shooting. Investigators noticed what they considered a significant change in the truck's appearance: the rear window was intact before the shooting, but the driver's side of the rear window appeared broken afterward.

That finding became particularly significant as investigators gathered additional evidence concerning the truck.

Cellphone Data Places Grajeda Near Shooting, Complaint Alleges

Investigators obtained location information for Grajeda's cellphone. According to the criminal complaint, the data placed his phone near I- 35E and Diffley Road at the time of the shooting. The phone then traveled to a nearby apartment complex.

Investigators obtained surveillance video from that complex, allegedly showing Grajeda standing near the white pickup with four other people who had already been in the parking lot before he arrived. The complaint alleges that the group appeared to remove glass and other debris from the pickup's bed.

They also allegedly covered the truck's damaged rear window with plastic and placed tape over what appeared to be bullet holes in the tailgate. Investigators further allege Grajeda moved several containers from the area into another vehicle while in the parking lot.

Police Search Savage Residence

The investigation continued for several weeks. On July 29, officers executed a search warrant at Grajeda's residence, according to the complaint. During the search, investigators seized Grajeda's cellphone, keys to the Ford F-150, and a locked gun safe.

Inside the gun safe, investigators allegedly found empty magazines for a .40-caliber handgun and a 9mm handgun, along with the title to the Ford F-150.

However, police did not locate the Ford F-150 or a 9mm handgun during the search, according to the complaint.

Tailgate Allegedly Found Hidden in Storage Unit

Two days later, on July 31, investigators executed another search warrant, this time at a storage unit rented by Grajeda. Police allegedly discovered that a key attached to the Ford F-150, which had been seized from Grajeda's residence, could open the storage unit.

Inside, investigators found a truck tailgate that appeared to match the tailgate from the Ford F-150 involved in the shooting, according to the complaint. Investigators observed two defects in the tailgate that they believed were bullet holes. The apparent trajectory of those holes added another piece to investigators' reconstruction of what may have happened inside the pickup.

According to the complaint, both defects appeared to have been caused by projectiles traveling from the passenger cabin toward the rear of the truck. Investigators also reviewed records and surveillance footage from the storage facility. Grajeda's access code was allegedly used to enter the facility on July 14, three days after the shooting, and again on July 24.

Surveillance footage from outside the storage unit allegedly showed Grajeda and another person placing the tailgate into the storage unit on July 14.

Investigators Examine Data From Grajeda's Phone

Police also conducted a forensic data extraction of Grajeda's cellphone. According to the complaint, investigators found that approximately one hour after the shooting, one of the people seen with Grajeda in the apartment-complex surveillance footage sent him several screenshots containing updates about the shooting.

Investigators said the cellphone extraction also corroborated the location information they had previously obtained. Police further determined that Grajeda's cellphone last connected to the Ford F-150 on July 13, two days after the shooting, according to the complaint.

The criminal complaint does not state that investigators have recovered the pickup or the firearm allegedly used in the shooting.

Five Felony Charges Filed

Grajeda now faces five felony counts stemming from the July 11 incident. Counts 1 and 2 charge him with drive-by shooting toward an occupied motor vehicle or building. Each count carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. The complaint also references Minnesota's firearm sentencing statute.

Counts 3, 4 and 5 charge Grajeda with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Each carries a statutory maximum sentence of seven years in prison and/or a $14,000 fine, according to the complaint.

The multiple counts correspond with prosecutors' allegations involving the occupied vehicles and three alleged victims.

The filing of multiple charges does not mean any eventual sentences would necessarily be imposed consecutively or that Grajeda would receive the statutory maximum penalties if convicted. Sentencing would depend on the counts of conviction, Minnesota sentencing law, the applicable sentencing guidelines, and the court's decisions.

Warrant Issued

Dakota County Sheriff's Office records reviewed by Limitless Media News show a warrant for Grajeda was issued August 19, 2026. The sheriff's office lists Grajeda as 20 years old and identifies Savage as his city of residence.

The warrant is associated with the felony drive-by shooting charge under Minnesota Statute 609.66, subdivision 1e(a), and is identified as a "Body-Only" warrant. A body-only warrant generally requires the person named in the warrant to be brought before a judge, rather than allowing it to be resolved simply by posting a predetermined amount of money before a court appearance.

According to Dakota County Jail records, Grajeda was taken into custody by Eagan Police around 2 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with this first court appearance set for 10 AM on August 20, 2026.

Limitless Media First Reported Shooting July 11

Limitless Media News first reported the shooting on July 11, 2026, shortly after Eagan Police and the Minnesota State Patrol responded to northbound I-35E. At the time, authorities described the incident as an apparent road rage confrontation in which one driver fired multiple rounds at another vehicle. Police initially reported that no one had been struck by the gunfire and that investigators were still searching for the suspect driver and vehicle.

The following day, July 12, Eagan police released additional information and asked the public to help identify the suspect. Police said they were looking for a 2010-2014 white Ford F-150 four-door pickup with black door handles, gray rocker panels, a black tonneau cover and visible rust around the driver's-side rear wheel well or fender.

The driver was described at the time as a White male with long dark hair. Police said the pickup had last been seen traveling northbound on I-35E near Lone Oak Road after the shooting.

Grajeda has been charged, but the allegations against him have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Limitless Media News will continue to follow the case as it moves through the Dakota County District Court.

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Published: August 19th, 2026

EAGAN, MINNESOTA: A residential street in Eagan was temporarily closed Wednesday afternoon while the Saint Paul Bomb Squad investigated a grenade reportedly found inside a home, which authorities later confirmed was a replica. Eagan police and firefighters, M Health Fairview medics and members of the Saint Paul Bomb Squad responded at approximately 1:11 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to a home in the 3800 block of Mersey Way.

According to information gathered by Limitless Media, emergency crews were dispatched after a grenade was reportedly discovered inside a box in the home, prompting authorities to request the Saint Paul Bomb Squad to evaluate the item and determine whether it posed a danger.

Mersey Way Closed as Precaution

Out of an abundance of caution, Eagan police and fire personnel closed Mersey Way between Tyne Lane and Esk Lane while bomb squad technicians investigated the reported grenade. The temporary closure restricted access to the immediate area and allowed bomb squad personnel to safely examine the item while other emergency responders remained nearby.

At the time of the initial response, authorities did not know whether the grenade was capable of exploding, leading emergency personnel to treat the discovery as a potential hazard until bomb technicians could make that determination.

Bomb Squad Determines Grenade Was a Replica

By approximately 1:55 p.m., emergency personnel began clearing the scene after the Saint Paul Bomb Squad completed its investigation. Officials with the Eagan Police Department confirmed with the Saint Paul Bomb Squad that the item was determined to be a replica grenade and did not pose an explosive threat.

Eagan police also confirmed there was no threat to the public, allowing emergency crews to clear the area and the temporary road closure to be lifted. No injuries were reported during the incident. The response took approximately 45 minutes from the initial dispatch to the time emergency personnel began clearing the area.

Although the item ultimately turned out to be a replica, the initial uncertainty surrounding the reported grenade prompted the precautionary response from police, firefighters, medics, and bomb squad personnel until specialists could determine that the item was not a threat.

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OWATONNA, MINNESOTA: Authorities are investigating after a person was found dead near a vendor booth at the Steele County Fair on Wednesday.

According to the Steele County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Four Seasons area of the fairgrounds on August 19 after a deceased individual was located near a vendor booth.

The Sheriff’s Office said deputies are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. The Steele County Coroner’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin.

No additional details about what may have led to the person’s death were immediately released.

The Sheriff’s Office said additional information will be provided when it becomes available and when its release will not interfere with the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Steele County Sheriff’s Office.

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SHAKOPEE: Abdirahman Mohamed Badal, a 22-year-old Richfield resident, has been charged with felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Scott County following an alleged incident in Shakopee.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Scott County Attorney’s Office, Badal (DOB: 08/22/2003) engaged in sexual penetration with a victim between 14 and 15 years of age while being more than 24 months older than the victim, pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 609.344, subd. 1a(b).

The charge stems from an investigation by local law enforcement into an incident reported on or about August 18, 2026, within the city limits of Shakopee. The felony offense carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.

A criminal complaint contains allegations based on probable cause determined by law enforcement and prosecutors. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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RAMSEY COUNTY MN: A 25-year-old St. Paul man was arrested Tuesday night after authorities say he fired a handgun at a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy from point-blank range in Maplewood before fleeing the area.

According to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 8 p.m. near Rice Street and Roselawn Avenue. The deputy and his K-9 partner were on their way to assist another deputy with a fight call when the deputy encountered what appeared to be a road-rage incident involving the driver of a gold Buick LeSabre.

The sheriff’s office said the deputy pulled behind the LeSabre before its driver suddenly made a U-turn. As the deputy slowed, authorities allege the driver fired a handgun out of the driver’s side window toward the deputy.

The bullet reportedly ricocheted off the hood of the squad vehicle before striking its windshield. The deputy was not hit.

Authorities say the driver then fled at a high rate of speed to the McDonough Townhomes, where the deputy lost sight of the vehicle.

A witness later told authorities that the driver of the LeSabre got into another vehicle and was driven away. A Roseville police officer helped identify the second vehicle's make, model, color and license plate, and that information was broadcast to other law enforcement agencies.

A short time later, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper spotted the vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate 694 near Rice Street. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, and a State Patrol helicopter tracked the vehicle from the air.

The driver eventually stopped and was arrested. Authorities also arrested Dmonte Shavezz Leanna, 25, of St. Paul, who the sheriff’s office identified as the suspect in the shooting. He was booked into jail pending charges.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators determined that a handgun had been thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit. Ramsey County Deputy Ashleigh Sparks and her K-9 partner, BeBe, later recovered the firearm in the 1900 block of Rice Street.

The case remains under investigation, and formal charges against Leanna were pending as of the sheriff’s office announcement.

Any allegations against Leanna have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Published: August 19, 2026

EAGAN, MINNESOTA – Eagan residents will have a new opportunity this fall to get a behind-the-scenes look at the people, organizations and institutions that help their community function.

The Eagan Community Foundation is accepting applications for the inaugural Eagan Community Academy, a 10-session program aimed at helping residents better understand Eagan, develop connections with community leaders and one another, and find meaningful ways to become involved.

The first Community Academy will begin on September 16, 2026, and take a broader approach than programs primarily focused on municipal government. Participants will explore how Eagan's local government, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups operate individually and work together to serve residents.

“Strong communities don’t just happen. They’re built when people know one another, understand their community and recognize that they have a role to play in making it stronger,” Eagan Community Foundation Executive Director Jamie Hopkins said. “We hope the Community Academy gives people a chance to learn, make connections they might not otherwise make, and discover their own way to contribute.”

Going Behind the Scenes in Eagan

Over the course of the Academy, participants will have opportunities to learn more about the people, places, and partnerships that shape Eagan and to meet leaders from across the community. The Foundation said participants will gain insight into some of the challenges and opportunities facing Eagan and learn more about how different organizations and institutions contribute to the community.

The program is also intended to help participants identify ways they can put their own interests, experiences, and talents to work locally. Those opportunities could eventually include volunteering, becoming involved in their neighborhood or schools, serving with nonprofits, joining civic organizations, participating on boards and commissions, or simply becoming more engaged with the people and organizations around them.

At its core, organizers say the Academy is intended to develop more informed and connected neighbors while showing participants how local government works alongside other sectors to serve Eagan residents.

Connection and Belonging a Focus

Eagan Community Foundation Board Member and Eagan Assistant City Administrator Sarah Alig will help lead the inaugural Academy. Alig has worked for the City of Eagan since 2022 and has been involved in efforts to engage residents in conversations about what is necessary to create a community where people can thrive.

“This work dovetails nicely with the conversations we’ve been having across Eagan about what helps people thrive,” Alig said. “We know that connection and belonging matter. The Community Academy gives people another way to get to know their community and one another—and to find ways to get involved that are meaningful to them.”

The Academy will ultimately move beyond learning about the community and ask participants to apply some of what they have discovered.

Participants will complete small capstone projects focused on “cultivating neighborliness” in Eagan, providing members of the inaugural class with an opportunity to put ideas developed during the program into action.

Foundation Seeking Diverse Inaugural Class

The Eagan Community Foundation plans to select 15 adult participants and up to two youth participants for the first Community Academy. Organizers are seeking applicants representing a range of ages, neighborhoods, professions, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

The goal is to bring together people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet while exposing participants to different parts of the community and the organizations that serve it.

The inaugural Eagan Community Academy begins September 16th, 2026, and will consist of 10 sessions.

Applications are currently open and must be submitted by September 1st.

Residents can learn more about the program and submit an application through the Eagan Community Foundation’s Community Academy webpage at eaganfoundation.org/community-academy.

About the Eagan Community Foundation

The Eagan Community Foundation works to support efforts that make Eagan a better place to live, learn, work and play.

Its work includes scholarships, community grants, charitable funds, community initiatives and programs designed to bring people together. The Foundation describes its role as connecting generosity with the people and ideas working to strengthen the Eagan community.

Written by: Will Wight
Images Provided by the Eagan Community Foundation.

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EDEN PRAIRIE: A 55-year-old Sunfish Lake man suffered life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon after the vehicle he was driving lost control on Interstate 494 in Eden Prairie and collided with three other vehicles, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The crash happened around 4:27 p.m. Monday, August 17, on westbound I-494 at Flying Cloud Drive.

According to the State Patrol crash report, a 2024 Mercedes AMG GT was traveling on the left shoulder of westbound I-494 when the driver lost control. The Mercedes entered the traffic lanes and collided with a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado, a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse and a 2026 Honda Pilot.

The 55-year-old driver of the Mercedes suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Hennepin Healthcare for treatment. His name is being withheld in this report.

The State Patrol listed road conditions as dry at the time of the crash. The Mercedes' airbags deployed, while the driver's seat belt use was listed as unknown.

The crash remains under investigation. The State Patrol listed whether alcohol was involved as pending.

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DAKOTA COUNTY MN: A Farmington man is facing a felony charge after allegedly jumping onto the running board of his neighbor’s truck, yelling and licking the window before throwing a rubber ball at the vehicle, causing more than $1,800 in damage in Vermillion Township.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, Jerel James Illetschko, 55, of Farmington, is charged with first-degree criminal damage to property, a felony.

A Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a residence in Vermillion Township on May 28, 2026, after receiving a report of property damage.

According to the complaint, a woman told the deputy that Illetschko had begun antagonizing her husband. As the husband pulled his truck out of the driveway, Illetschko allegedly walked into the street and jumped onto the truck’s running board.

The driver told authorities that Illetschko was going “ballistic,” yelling and licking the window of the truck, according to the probable cause statement.

Illetschko then allegedly threw something at the truck, causing a dent in the passenger-side door.

The driver’s wife provided the deputy with video of the incident, which the complaint states was consistent with their accounts.

The driver later obtained an invoice estimating the cost to repair the damage at $1,828.48.

When contacted by phone, Illetschko allegedly admitted to throwing a rubber ball at the truck but told the deputy the ball went underneath the vehicle. According to the complaint, the video showed otherwise.

Illetschko is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.595.1(4), which applies when intentional property damage reduces the value of the property by more than $1,000 based on repair and replacement costs. The felony carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

The allegations contained in a criminal complaint are accusations. Illetschko is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY: Authorities in Washington County have filed a criminal complaint charging Ernest Bergdahl, a Newport resident, with seven felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court filings, the alleged offenses occurred on or about August 27, 2024.

The formal complaint outlines seven identical felony counts against Bergdahl:

• Counts I through VII: Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material via Computer Disk, Electronic, Magnetic, or Optical Image (Minn. Stat. § 617.247, subd. 4(a)).

Each count alleges that Bergdahl knowingly, or with reason to know its content and character, possessed digital media, electronic storage devices, or computer systems containing child sexual abuse material.

Under Minnesota law, each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense. For a second or subsequent offense, the statutory maximum increases to 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine per count.

The case remains pending in Washington County District Court.

As with all criminal proceedings, a criminal complaint contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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INVER GROVE HEIGHTS: A 26-year-old woman has been charged with a felony after authorities say she intentionally fired a handgun inside an Inver Grove Heights apartment, sending a bullet through multiple walls and into a neighboring apartment where a resident was sleeping.

Jacqueline Perez Dothe is charged in Dakota County District Court with intentional discharge of a firearm under circumstances that endanger the safety of another.

According to the criminal complaint, Inver Grove Heights police responded to an apartment complex on Upper 55th Street on Aug. 15 after receiving a report that a bullet had entered a resident's apartment.

The resident told officers she heard a loud bang during the early morning hours and later discovered a bullet hole through the entrance door of her apartment. The bullet allegedly continued through the door of a hallway closet before becoming lodged in a closet wall adjacent to the resident's bedroom, where she had been sleeping.

The complaint states the resident was frightened and tearful while speaking with officers and said she could have been struck had she been walking around her apartment at the time.

Authorities determined from the bullet's trajectory that the shot allegedly originated from an apartment across the hallway. Officers also observed a bullet hole in a wall across from the resident's door, according to the probable cause statement.

Police entered the apartment and detained three people who allegedly had not responded to officers pounding on the door and announcing themselves.

After speaking with the three individuals, authorities learned that Perez Dothe had allegedly been drinking with the others before picking up a handgun, aiming it at a wall and firing a single round from the dining room, according to the complaint.

Police searched the apartment and allegedly found a spent shell casing in the dining room. A firearm was also located in Perez Dothe's bedroom with one round missing from its magazine, the complaint states.

The felony charge carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court, and Perez Dothe is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Published: August 18th, 2026 | Updated on August 18, 2026 at 4 PM.

EAGAN, MINNESOTA: A 37-year-old man is facing seven felony charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, after prosecutors allege he pulled a handgun during a struggle with Eagan police officers, fired a shot toward one officer's head and then attempted to fire at another officer.

Adrian Ricardo Flowers was charged Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Dakota County District Court in connection with the August 15th incident. The charges include:

• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer

• Two counts of first-degree assault involving the use of deadly force against a peace officer

• Two counts of felony obstructing legal process

• One count of possessing a firearm following a crime-of-violence conviction.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident began at approximately 6:11 a.m. Saturday when Eagan police officers were dispatched to a report of a domestic disturbance outside a residence in the city. When officers arrived, they found a woman holding a small child outside the residence along with Flowers, according to prosecutors. The complaint does not identify the woman or describe her relationship to Flowers.

Authorities allege that when officers attempted to speak with Flowers about why they had been called, he became argumentative, said he was going inside, and began walking toward the residence. Officers reported that Flowers' speech appeared slurred and that he was holding a bottle of alcohol. Police ordered Flowers to stop, but prosecutors allege he ignored those commands. Officers then attempted to physically prevent him from entering the residence, and Flowers was eventually taken to the ground.

Prosecutors: Gun Fired Toward Officer's Head

According to the complaint, four officers were attempting to detain Flowers on the ground when he allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband. One of the officers, identified in court documents as Officer 1, attempted to push the handgun out of Flowers' hand. Prosecutors allege Flowers was able to move his wrist and point the handgun toward the officer's head. Officer 1 told investigators that he could see down the barrel of the handgun several times and had to move his head to get out of its path.

Flowers then allegedly pulled the trigger.

According to the complaint, one round was fired toward Officer 1's head but missed. The officer was not injured. The gunshot occurred while all four officers were on the ground attempting to detain Flowers, according to prosecutors. The complaint states that one officer momentarily disengaged after the shot to determine whether any officers had been injured, while another shifted his attention toward locating and disarming the gun.

Gun Allegedly Pushed Into Second Officer's Chest

Prosecutors allege the encounter continued after the first shot. According to the complaint, Flowers pulled the gun down toward a second officer and pushed the muzzle into the officer's torso. Officer 2 reported feeling the barrel of the handgun pressed against his chest. Body-worn camera footage from another responding officer allegedly shows Flowers pointing the firearm at Officer 2 and appearing to attempt to pull the trigger at least once. The gun did not fire.

Officer 2 was eventually able to pin Flowers' hand against the ground and pry the firearm away, according to the complaint. Investigators later determined that a round that entered the chamber after the first shot had jammed, preventing the handgun from firing again, prosecutors allege. The firearm's magazine had also fallen out during the struggle and was recovered along with the spent shell casing.

Complaint: Flowers Claimed He Had Another Gun

After officers removed the handgun from Flowers' possession, prosecutors allege he told police that he had a second gun and immediately moved his hands back toward his waistband. Flowers allegedly refused commands to show his hands, although officers eventually determined that he did not have another firearm.

While being restrained, Flowers claimed that he had not fired his gun and that officers had shot him, according to the complaint. At one point, Flowers allegedly told officers, "I'll kill you."

Flowers was taken into custody, and authorities determined he had not suffered any gunshot-related injuries. Officers also reported seeing a small baggie containing a suspected controlled substance fall from his shorts while he was being taken into custody. The complaint does not indicate that Flowers was charged with a controlled-substance offense in this case.

Body Camera Footage Reviewed

Investigators later reviewed body-worn camera footage from the officers involved in the encounter. According to prosecutors, the footage appeared to show Flowers holding an object inside his shirt between his arm and torso when officers initially contacted him. As officers attempted to prevent him from entering the residence, Flowers allegedly moved the bottle of alcohol he was carrying to his other hand and began reaching inside his shirt.

Investigators determined the object was a handgun, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege the gun became caught on Flowers' shirt as he attempted to retrieve it, preventing him from pulling it out until after officers had taken him to the ground.

Flowers Tells Investigators He Doesn't Remember Incident

Flowers was transported to the Dakota County Jail and later agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of his Miranda rights. According to the complaint, Flowers said he had been outside that morning attempting to get the woman officers encountered to return inside the residence. Flowers reportedly told investigators he did not remember what happened after officers arrived.

When investigators told him that body-worn camera footage showed him pulling out a firearm, pointing it toward officers and firing it, Flowers allegedly said he did not recall that occurring. Investigators also asked whether he normally carried firearms. According to the complaint, Flowers responded, "I don't know," before ending the interview shortly afterward.

Seven Felony Charges Filed

Flowers is charged with:

• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer. Each count carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as listed in the complaint.

• Two counts of first-degree assault against a peace officer involving the use of deadly force. Each carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine.

• Two counts of felony obstructing legal process involving conduct creating a risk of death, substantial bodily harm or serious property damage. Each carries a maximum sentence of five years and/or a $10,000 fine.

• One count of unlawful firearm possession following a crime-of-violence conviction. The complaint lists a maximum sentence of 15 years and/or a $30,000 fine.
  The two attempted-murder and first-degree-assault counts correspond to the two officers prosecutors allege Flowers directly targeted with the handgun. The two obstruction charges identify two additional officers who attempted to restrain him.

Prior Second-Degree Murder Conviction

The firearm charge stems from Flowers' criminal history. According to the criminal complaint, a search of Flowers' record showed a prior felony conviction for second-degree unintentional murder in Ramsey County on June 28, 2012.

Prosecutors allege that conviction legally prohibited Flowers from possessing a firearm, forming the basis for the seventh felony charge.

Request Made to Set Bail as High as $1 Million

At Flowers' initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon, August 18, 2026, the prosecution requested bail be set at $1 million without conditions or $750,000 with conditions, which Judge Christopher Bates agreed with and set, according to information provided by the Dakota County Attorney's Office,

Conditions of release include no contact with the listed victims outside their professional capacity, no possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons, surrender of any firearms, electronic home monitoring with alcohol-sensor monitoring, no alcohol or controlled-substance use, random chemical testing, and participation in a pretrial release program.

Flowers would also be required to remain in Minnesota unless given written permission to leave, to surrender his passport, to comply with active protective orders, to remain law-abiding, and to make all future court appearances.

Flowers is represented by attorney Evan W. Frazier.

Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena made the following statement:

“Our law enforcement partners in Dakota County put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our communities safe,” said County Attorney Keena. “I have tremendous appreciation for their unwavering commitment to public safety. The outcome of this incident could have been so different, and I’m grateful no officers were killed or sustained any serious physical injuries.”

Eagan Police Chief Responds to Charges

Following the announcement of charges Tuesday, Eagan Police Chief Salim Omari issued a statement addressing the incident, which police said occurred in the 4400 block of Lynx Court. According to the Eagan Police Department, the officers involved were only about 10 minutes into their shift when they responded to the reported domestic dispute that ultimately escalated into the armed struggle.

“10 minutes into their shift, our officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute, and someone tried to kill them,” Omari said.

Omari praised the officers for their response and said he was grateful that neither the officers nor anyone else in the community was seriously injured.

“Our officers walk toward the unknown every day because this community needs them to,” Omari said. “I am incredibly grateful for their courage, their professionalism, and their genuine care for this community, even in a moment of real danger to themselves.”

The chief also thanked the Dakota County Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident for their support of the officers, victims and community.

“Thankfully, no one – not our officers, not anyone else in our community – was seriously hurt that morning,” Omari said. “That outcome was not guaranteed, and I don’t take it for granted.”

Omari said the encounter serves as a reminder of the dangers officers can face while responding to calls and their commitment to protecting the community.

“Eagan is a safer community because its officers are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” Omari said.

The charges contained in a criminal complaint are allegations. Flowers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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Published: August 18, 2026.

APPLE VALLEY & BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - An Apple Valley Scout has earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout after leading a major service project that transformed an outdoor area in Burnsville into a space now being used daily by students and community members.

Jackson Bents, a member of Scouts BSA Troop 9293 in Apple Valley, earned the Eagle Scout rank after planning, organizing, and leading the construction of a joint outdoor classroom and meeting space for Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Church and Unity Catholic High School in Burnsville. The project required Bents to coordinate a large team of volunteers and oversee several stages of work to prepare and develop the site.

Volunteers first cleared the area and installed a weed barrier before undertaking one of the project's most labor-intensive tasks: moving approximately seven tons of baseball-diamond dirt into the site using wheelbarrows. The team also constructed seven benches, providing seating for students and groups using the space. In addition, volunteers built a storage unit and a fire pit, creating an area that could serve several purposes for both the school and church.

The finished project has quickly become a regularly used part of the property. Since its completion, the outdoor space has been used multiple times each day for classes at Unity Catholic High School. Mary, Mother of the Church has also used the area for youth gatherings, meetings and other activities.

Jessica Bents, Jackson's mother, said representatives from the school and church have been impressed with the finished project and the work performed by the Scouts. According to Bents, representatives told the family that the Scouts did a better job on the project than professional contractors they had hired for previous work.

Project Highlights Leadership and Community Service

Earning the Eagle Scout rank is the culmination of years of advancement, service and leadership within Scouts BSA. A major component of reaching the rank is planning, developing and leading a service project benefiting a religious institution, school or community. Rather than simply participating in the work, an Eagle Scout candidate is responsible for demonstrating leadership throughout the project, including developing a plan, organizing resources and volunteers, and overseeing the project's completion.

Bents' Burnsville project brought those requirements together through a substantial construction and improvement effort that required both physical work and coordination among a large group of volunteers. The result is also intended to provide a lasting benefit to the organizations it serves. With students already using the area for outdoor classes and the church incorporating it into youth activities and meetings, the project has become a functional gathering space for both organizations.

Bents' completion of the project and achievement of the Eagle Scout rank recognizes his leadership, service, and commitment to his community, qualities at the heart of the highest rank available through the Scouts BSA program.

Written by: Will Wight

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