Nationwide Warrant For MN Man Accused of Standoff Involving Child

Austin, MN (KROC-AM News) - A nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for a southern Minnesota man who is facing charges stemming from a police chase and lengthy standoff with Austin police that involved a young child.

A Mower County judge recently issued the warrant after 49-year-old Kristofar Luiken failed to appear in court for a bail hearing. The Blooming Prairie man faces felony counts of child endangerment, obstructing the legal process, and threats of violence. He is also charged with a gross misdemeanor count of false imprisonment involving the child.

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According to the criminal complaint in the case, the charges stem from a series of incidents that occurred on the night of July 7, 2024 that began in Owatonna after Steele County authorities were asked to conduct a welfare check on a seven-year-old child. A news release issued by the Austin Police Department indicated the child was located in Luiken's vehicle and he responded by speeding away and crashing into an Owatonna police squad car.

The charges against Luiken say he was located entering Mower County, where the State Patrol deployed stop sticks in an attempt to stop his car, but he continued driving into Austin on four flat tires. The court document says the vehicle eventually stopped in front of Luiken's mother's home in Austin, where he refused commands to exit the car and release the child.

It was alleged that Luiken told law officers at the scene that he had gasoline in the vehicle and he was seen smoking numerous cigarettes while holding a gas can with the child still inside the car. The criminal complaint says Luiken also stated that he had weapons in the vehicle and that officers would "regret approaching the car."

The court document says the officers involved in, what became a 10 hour long standoff, spotted large knives in the center console of the car and a hatchet in the front seat area. Chemical agents, similar to bear spray, were also observed inside the vehicle.

The criminal complaint indicates the standoff ended the following morning when Luiken finally got out of the car holding onto the child, but then released her. Austin police reported that the young girl was safely released to family members.

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