Police: Man Assaults, Steals Car Of Good Samaritan
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 27-year-old man was arrested Thursday night after he assaulted and stole the car of a Good Samaritan who stopped to help him when he crashed into a ditch in Wright County.
Jeremy Sterzinger, of St. Joseph, is facing charges of fleeing police, robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and driving after revocation.
According to the Wright County Sheriff's Office, around 2 a.m. a deputy was on a routine patrol on Highway 25 near 14th Street NE in Buffalo when 2001 white Chevy Impala sped up behind him.
The Impala passed the squad car on the right and continued speeding south on Highway 25.
The officer followed in pursuit but lost sight of the Impala near 8th Street.
According to the Wright County Sheriff's Office, a few minutes after the chase officers received a call from 31-year-old Brent Morris, of Silver Lake, stating his car had been stolen.
Morris told police that he had just stopped to assist a driver, later identified as Sterzinger, who had gone into a ditch near Highway 55 and County Road 35.
Morris said as he approached the car Sterzinger got out, assaulted him and fled in Morris' 2010 Ford pickup truck. The driver had been in a white Chevy Impala.
Officers were able to locate the stolen truck as it was speeding near Highway 55 and 1st Street NE.
Police said officers pursued the truck for a short distance until Sterzinger lost control of the truck and crashed into a power pole at 1st Street NE and Calder Avenue NE. Sterzinger then fled on foot.
Officers apprehended Sterzinger and arrested him on the spot. He was transported to Buffalo Allina Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash and will later be transported to Wright County Jail.