Man With Extensive Felony Record Facing Charges After High-Speed Chase in Stolen Vehicle Through Dakota County
Published: December 29, 2025
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS - A Minneapolis man with an extensive felony criminal history is facing new charges in Dakota County after authorities say he led police on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle before crashing and attempting to flee on foot in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Matthew Thomas Kennedy, 36, of Minneapolis, was formally charged on December 26, 2025, in Dakota County District Court for Felony Receiving Stolen Property - Motor Vehicle ($1,000 or less), which comes with a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $3,000 to $5,000, and Felony Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, which comes with a maximum penalty of up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of $1,500 to $5,000.
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Crash
According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 3:59 a.m., a Mendota Heights police officer conducted a routine license plate check near Mendota Road and Babcock Trail and discovered that the vehicle, a Kia Sedona, had been reported stolen from Minneapolis. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated and entered westbound I-494, reaching speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour despite the activation of emergency lights and sirens.
The pursuit continued across multiple highways, including Highway 62, Interstate 35E, and Highway 13, before the vehicle exited and crashed into a fire hydrant.
The driver then fled the scene on foot. Officers later located Kennedy hiding inside a nearby storage shed, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Evidence Found in Vehicle
Investigators noted there were no keys in the ignition, and the vehicle appeared to have been tampered with. Inside the vehicle, officers located:
A blue screwdriver on the passenger seat
A backpack containing an OBD-II device, commonly used to bypass vehicle security systems
Multiple screwdrivers, pry bars, and facemasks
Police also reported that Kennedy allegedly also possessed a driver’s license issued to another individual at the time of his arrest.
Extensive Criminal History
According to Minnesota court records, Kennedy has a lengthy criminal history spanning more than 15 years, including multiple felony convictions. His prior record includes:
Aggravated Robbery – 1st Degree (Felony)
Burglary – 3rd Degree (Felony, multiple cases)
1st-Degree Drug Possession (Felony)
Motor Vehicle Theft (Felony)
Possession of Burglary or Theft Tools (Felony)
Mail Theft (Felony)
DWI – Alcohol Concentration 0.08 or More (Felony)
Providing False Name to a Peace Officer (Gross Misdemeanor)
Several theft-related convictions date back to 2009, with felony offenses continuing through 2022, according to online court records.
Bail and Supervision Status
Bail request documents indicate Kennedy has an estimated Criminal History Score (CHS) of 8–9, placing him in the highest sentencing ranges under Minnesota guidelines. At the time of the new offenses, Kennedy was already under court supervision, having previously received a downward dispositional departure on a 1st-degree drug conviction. The prosecution requested that bail be set at $75,000 without conditions, based solely on this information.
The judge ultimately set bail for Kennedy on December 26, 2025, at $75,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions. His next court date is set for January 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
