Rochester Man Sent to Prison Following Chase on Motor Scooter

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who attempted to flee from police on a gas-powered motorized scooter earlier this year has been sent to prison for a list of felony offenses.

40-year-old Brandon Wenthold recently entered into a plea agreement with Olmsted County prosecutors and entered guilty pleas to multiple counts of fifth-degree drug possession and a charge of receiving stolen property in exchange for the dismissal of the remaining charges against him. Those included a felony count of fleeing police, vehicle theft, and driving after revocation.

Wenthold was given concurrent prison sentences ranging from 18 months to two years in prison for the felony convictions.

Two of his convictions stemmed from his arrest in April when a Rochester police officer spotted him driving a motorized scooter in a careless manner without a rear license plate. According to the criminal complaint, Wenthold accelerated through a parking lot after the officer activated his emergency lights.

The officer then turned on his siren and pursued Wenthold on 9th and 7th Streets Southeast until he nearly lost control of the scooter, causing the wheels to squeal and sparks to fly from the rear of the scooter. The court document says Wenthold pulled over a short time later and was arrested. The criminal charges allege that he was found possessing some hypodermic needles, a small electronic scale, and a plastic baggie containing 1.5 grams of methamphetamine.

In the other case, Wenthold was arrested just last month after he was caught possessing hypodermic needles, a pipe, and 8.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The criminal complaint says he was also caught in possession of a motorcycle that was reported stolen in May.