Wanted Man Accused of Fleeing Rochester Police At Speeds as High as 100mph

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing multiple charges for allegedly fleeing police at a high rate of speed. 

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A criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday, says the fleeing incident occurred on June 11. 

Court records indicate the suspect had an active Department of Corrections warrant and had a canceled driver's license. 

Man Wanted on DOC Warrant Accused of Fleeing Rochester Police at High Speeds

46-year-old Matthew Ronald Fricke is charged with felony fleeing and gross misdemeanor driving after cancelation-inimical to public safety. 

The charges state an officer on patrol first spotted Fricke after he parked his vehicle in an “odd manner” at the Kwik Trip store located at the intersection of 11th Ave. and Civic Center Dr. in northwest Rochester. 

The officer suspected criminal activity and began following the vehicle. Fickle then accelerated on 11th Ave. Northwest and turned onto Civic Center Dr., the charges say. 

The officer activated his squad’s camera and eventually its emergency lights in an attempt to stop Fricke. The complaint says Fricke continued to accelerate towards Hwy. 52 and the officer followed. 

Fricke then slowed down for a left turn onto the entrance ramp for southbound Hwy. 52. He accelerated again and attempted an evasive maneuver, the complaint says. 

The officer did not initiate a chase due to Rochester Police Department policy but continued to follow Fricke until he got off the freeway at the Hwy. 14 east interchange near Apache Mall, the charges say. 

Fricke was visually estimated to have been traveling at speeds ranging from 90-100mph, the complaint says. After the encounter, the officer identified the suspect motorist as Fricke. 

Law enforcement arrested Fricke on the active warrant at his home on June 17. The vehicle involved in the fleeing incident was at the residence, the complaint says. 

Fricke is being held on $100,000 bail and is due back in court next month.