Police: Woman On Meth Steals Squad Car After Arrest; High-Speed Chase Follows
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 35-year-old Alexandria woman is in jail after she allegedly stole a squad car and led police on a high-speed chase Sunday evening.
Alexandria police say officers and fire crews were dispatched at 6:41 p.m. Sunday to a fire alarm with visible smoke at an apartment on the 500 block of Broadway Street.
Upon arrival, officers saw a small fire burning on the living room floor and quickly put out the fire using an extinguisher. There initially didn't appear to be anyone inside the residence, but officers discovered the tenant, identified as Jennifer Hillard, entered through the ceiling tiles and was hiding inside the ceiling.
Police say Hillard then fell through the ceiling tiles and into an adjoining laundry room. She was found with a methamphetamine pipe and lighter in her possession. She was then placed under arrest, handcuffed with her hands behind her back, and placed in the back seat of a squad car.
As authorities continued to deal with the scene, Hillard managed to free one of her hands from the handcuffs and squeezed her way through the back sliding window that may have not been secured, gaining access to the front section of the squad car. She then drove off with the Alexandria squad car.
A short time later, an officer with Osakis police intercepted Hillard as she was entering Osakis and began to pursue. Before and during the pursuit, Hillard reached speeds of over 120 mph.
The pursuit ended on Beltline Road near Sauk Centre when a Minnesota State Trooper deployed stop sticks.
Hillard is in custody at the Dakota County Jail pending a court appearance for charges of arson, theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing a peace officer, driving while impaired, possessing a controlled substance, reckless driving and speeding.
Police say there were no injuries and damage to property, with the exception of the Alexandria squad car.