Man Allegedly Steals Car, Flips It, Hides From Cops In Bathtub
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – A Brooklyn Park man allegedly stole a car from a St. Paul repair shop that he frequents, crashed and flipped it, then fled the scene early Thursday evening.
According to St. Paul Police Sgt. Paul Paulos, 20-year-old Mario Zacate allegedly stole a 1996 Honda Accord from Tires & More auto shop at 847 White Bear Ave N. in St. Paul.
After driving two miles, Zacate ran a stop sign while traveling south on Cypress Street, and crashed in to another car at the Minnehaha Avenue intersection.
The Honda flipped, but Zacate was able to exit the vehicle and flee the scene. The driver of the car he hit suffered minor injuries.
Zacate then went to a friend's home in the 1200 block of Fremont Avenue, but was eventually tracked by a canine officer. Police found Zacate naked in a bathtub full of cold water.
According to an employee of Tires & More, Zacate was a frequent patron of the store and was friendly with employees.
They waited to call police in order to contact Zacate themselves and give him a chance to return the Honda. Zacate did not answer his cell phone.
He is currently being held in Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of auto theft and criminal vehicular operation.
