Apple Valley Man Charged After Allegedly Grabbing Officer's Handgun During Savage Arrest Attempt
Published: July 13th 2026
SAVAGE MN: - An Apple Valley man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities allege he attempted to grab a Savage police officer's handgun while fleeing from a traffic stop that led to the discovery of more than 228 grams of khat, according to a criminal complaint filed in Scott County.
Afmeshar Ahmed Warsame, 38, of Apple Valley, has been charged in Scott County District Court with one count of felony disarming a peace officer, one count of fifth-degree controlled substance possession, one count of gross misdemeanor obstructing legal process, one count of misdemeanor driving while impaired by a controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer on foot.
According to the criminal complaint, Savage police officers were on patrol at approximately 9:58 p.m. on July 12 near County Road 42 and Quebec Avenue when they ran the license plate of a vehicle being driven by Warsame. Court documents state officers learned Warsame had an active warrant before following the vehicle.
The complaint alleges officers observed the vehicle traveling significantly below the posted 50 mph speed limit before accelerating after the driver appeared to believe the squad car was turning away. Officers also reported seeing an object hanging from the vehicle's rearview mirror and initiated a traffic stop after the driver allegedly failed to slow for a yellow traffic signal.
According to the probable cause statement, an officer observed what appeared to be khat, a green leafy plant that contains the Schedule I controlled substance cathinone, between the driver's seat and the driver's door. Officers also reported that Warsame displayed signs they associated with drug impairment and that he voluntarily consented to searches of both his person and his vehicle.
The complaint states officers observed Warsame with constricted pupils, unsteady balance, and a green substance in his mouth. When questioned about the substance, prosecutors allege Warsame attempted to conceal it before suddenly standing up and running from officers despite commands to stop.
According to the complaint, Warsame stumbled and fell while running toward a grassy area west of a Target store. As an officer attempted to take him into custody, prosecutors allege Warsame reached toward the officer's duty belt and grabbed the frame of the officer's Glock 17 handgun.
The complaint states the officer immediately ordered Warsame to release the firearm and struck him in the face while turning his body to prevent him from gaining control of the weapon. Prosecutors allege Warsame released the handgun, and another officer assisted in restraining him before he was taken into custody.
Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and allegedly found three bags containing khat, along with a grocery bag containing a chewed green substance. According to the complaint, the bags weighed approximately 84.08 grams, 90.59 grams, and 54.23 grams, for a combined total of 228.9 grams.
Authorities later obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample. According to the complaint, Warsame initially refused to provide a blood sample but agreed to provide a urine sample after officers advised him the warrant also authorized the collection of urine and that refusing could result in an additional criminal charge.
Court records cited in the complaint also indicate Warsame had pending Scott County cases filed on July 6, 2026, alleging felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession and drug-related DWI.
Warsame is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
