Wanted Rochester Man Accused of Leading State Trooper on High Speed Chase West of Rochester

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A wanted man has been charged in connection to a police pursuit that happened in western Rochester earlier this week. 

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The criminal complaint says the incident began with an attempted traffic stop and ended with Rochester police officers boxing in the suspect’s vehicle. 

Rochester Man Facing Charges for High-Speed Pursuit

The criminal complaint says a state trooper on patrol in the area of Heritage Pl NW and Superior Dr. NW saw a vehicle fail to stop at the intersection of the two streets. 

The trooper began following the vehicle as it turned onto southbound West Circle Dr. The motorist then ran a red light as he made a right turn onto westbound 19th St. NW, according to the court document. 

As the trooper followed the vehicle, the driver accelerated to a radar-measured speed of 99mph and accelerated to 100 mph after the trooper activated his squad vehicle's emergency lights and sirens, the complaint says. 

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The pursuit continued on multiple gravel roads west of Rochester. At one point the trooper attempted a PIT maneuver to stop the fleeing vehicle but was unsuccessful. Speeds on the gravel roads topped out at 70 mph, the complaint says. 

The suspect then turned back towards Rochester and eventually entered a parking lot. He attempted to exit the lot by driving through a grassy culvert. 

Collision Ends Pursuit, Suspect Identified

The trooper intentionally collided with the suspect’s vehicle, which brought it to a stop. Rochester police officers responded to box the vehicle in, the complaint says.  

26-year-old Randy Lee Anderson was identified as the driver.

The complaint says Anderson “appeared confused and slow to respond to commands,” and also had “watery, glossy eyes and heavy eyelids and was asking irrelevant questions about getting his cell phone and water and having a cigarette.” 

Anderson also had an active Department of Corrections Warrant, the court document states. 

Items Found in Vehicle

Authorities found “multiple torches, glass pipes with residue and a scale with a white powdery substance as well as a container with a white powdery substance and multiple small baggies and straws consistent with drug use and sales,” the charges say. 

Investigators obtained a sample of Anderson’s blood and are awaiting test results. Anderson is charged with felony fleeing and misdemeanor DWI. 

Bail was set at $20,000 for Anderson following his first court appearance. He’s due back in court later this month.