Published: November 4, 2026
APPLE VALLEY/EAGAN, MN: A 47-year-old St. Louis Park man with three prior impaired driving convictions is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly fleeing an attempted traffic stop in Eagan, crashing into two vehicles in Apple Valley, and running from the scene before being discovered hiding in vegetation near a middle school in Apple Valley.
Dragos Valentine Bogza, 47, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with two felonies, including first-degree driving while impaired for refusing a court-authorized chemical test and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He also faces a gross misdemeanor charge of driving after his license was canceled as inimical to public safety.
According to a criminal complaint filed on November 3, 2026, the incident occurred on Monday, November 2, and began when an Eagan police officer observed a vehicle committing several traffic violations along Cliff Road. Authorities say the pursuit ended in a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and McAndrews Road. Although multiple vehicles were damaged, police reported no serious injuries.
Traffic Stop Escalates Into Pursuit
According to the statement of probable cause, an Eagan police officer was conducting routine patrol at approximately 1:52 p.m. on November 2 when he observed a gray Lincoln MKZ traveling eastbound on Cliff Road, west of Pilot Knob Road. The officer reported seeing the Lincoln cross the centerline into lanes designated for oncoming traffic. The vehicle also allegedly failed to properly signal while changing into a left-turn lane before turning southbound onto Pilot Knob Road.
Based on those observations, the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Wellington Way.
The complaint states that the Lincoln was initially slow to stop. However, as soon as the officer exited his patrol vehicle and approached on foot, the driver allegedly accelerated away and continued southbound on Pilot Knob Road. The officer returned to his squad vehicle and followed the Lincoln.
Suspect Allegedly Crashes Into Two Vehicles Before Fleeing on Foot
The officer subsequently observed the Lincoln near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and McAndrews Road in Apple Valley. According to the complaint, the Lincoln entered the intersection from the southbound right-turn lane and moved into the path of another vehicle traveling eastbound on McAndrews Road. A collision occurred, and the Lincoln then struck a second vehicle before stopping.
Following the crashes, the officer reportedly observed a single individual, described as a white male wearing a gray jacket, exit the Lincoln and flee westbound on foot. Rather than immediately pursuing the fleeing individual, the officer assisted the occupants of the two vehicles struck. Police confirmed that no serious injuries were reported. Police requested tow trucks to remove the disabled vehicles from the intersection.
The criminal complaint does not specify the extent of the damage to the vehicles or whether any occupants sustained minor injuries.
Police Locate Suspect Hiding Near Middle School Athletic Fields
Following the crash, Eagan police began searching for the driver who had fled. Investigators obtained an image of the suspect from the responding officer's squad camera and distributed it to other officers assisting with the search.
During the investigation, officers learned that an individual matching the suspect's description approached a nearby residence and asked for water. The homeowner provided police with footage from a Ring security camera showing the individual.
According to the complaint, officers eventually located the suspect crouched or hiding in vegetation along a tree line just east of the Falcon Ridge Middle School's athletic fields in Apple Valley. Police took the individual into custody and identified him as Bogza.
The complaint did not identify the middle school or indicate that students or staff were directly involved, but Limitless Media News can confirm the school based on public tips and confirmed police activity in the area.
Map showing the rough area where the crash occurred and where the suspect was found near Falcon Ridge Middle School.
Suspected Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia Discovered
As part of the investigation, officers inventoried the Lincoln before towing it from the crash scene. During that inventory, police reportedly discovered a cellphone on the vehicle's dashboard and a backpack in the back seat. Inside the backpack, officers located a jar containing what appeared to be marijuana, according to the criminal complaint.
Following Bogza's arrest, officers also searched his clothing and reportedly discovered a brown glass pipe in his pants pocket, along with a container containing suspected drug residue.
The complaint does not identify the suspected residue or indicate whether laboratory testing confirmed the substances. No separate controlled-substance possession charge is listed among the three charges filed in connection with the November 2 incident.
Defendant Allegedly Refuses Court-Authorized Chemical Testing
After Bogza was taken into custody, officers observed that he appeared lethargic. Due to his condition, police transported him to a hospital for evaluation. Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant authorizing the collection of a blood or urine sample to determine whether Bogza had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
According to the complaint, officers informed Bogza of the search warrant and advised him that refusing to provide a sample would constitute a crime. Despite that warning, Bogza allegedly refused to provide either a blood or urine sample. The alleged refusal forms the basis of the first-degree DWI charge filed against him.
The criminal complaint does not report a blood alcohol concentration or a confirmed toxicology result. Consequently, the allegations do not establish which, if any, impairing substances were present in Bogza's system at the time of the incident. Under Minnesota law, refusing to comply with a lawfully obtained search warrant for blood or urine testing can constitute a criminal offense.
Three Previous DWI Convictions Identified
A review of Bogza's criminal history revealed three previous impaired driving convictions dating back to 2019, according to prosecutors.
The convictions listed in the complaint include:
November 13, 2019: Misdemeanor driving while impaired, Washington County.
June 14, 2022: Third-degree driving while impaired, Washington County.
March 24, 2023: Second-degree driving while impaired.
Minnesota law allows certain impaired driving offenses to be elevated to first-degree DWI, a felony, when an individual has three or more qualified prior impaired driving incidents within the applicable 10-year period. Prosecutors allege that Bogza's previous convictions satisfy the requirements for the enhanced felony charge. Investigators also determined that Bogza's driving privileges had been canceled as "inimical to public safety." Minnesota law uses that designation when a person's driving history or conduct establishes grounds to cancel or deny driving privileges in the interest of public safety.
Despite the cancellation, prosecutors allege Bogza was operating the Lincoln during the November 2nd incident.
Minnesota law carries enhanced sentencing provisions for first-degree DWI charges. The complaint lists a sentencing range of three to seven years and a fine range of $4,200 to $14,000. The fleeing charge is based on allegations that Bogza knowingly attempted to evade a law enforcement officer performing official duties. The third charge stems from the allegation that Bogza operated a vehicle despite an active cancellation of his driving privileges.
These penalties represent the statutory maximums and applicable sentencing provisions, not a sentence the court imposed. Any eventual sentence would depend on the outcome of the criminal proceedings and applicable sentencing requirements.
Prosecutors Cite Pending Cases and History of Missed Court Appearances
In addition to the three previous DWI convictions, prosecutors highlighted Bogza's broader criminal and court history when addressing his release conditions. According to information accompanying the November 3rd charging documents, Bogza has several pending criminal cases and a history that includes drug-related offenses, driving without a valid license, and prior warrants.
Prosecutors also noted numerous previous failures to appear for scheduled court proceedings. One such failure to appear reportedly occurred in September 2026 and resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest.
The provided court information does not identify the individual pending cases or specify their current status. Pending charges and prior warrants do not, by themselves, establish guilt in those separate proceedings.
Interim Bail Set at $60,000 Without Conditions or $10,000 With Conditions
Court records provided with the complaint list two bail options for Bogza. The prosecution requested unconditional bail be set at $60,000, while conditional bail was set at $30,000. The interim bail was set at $60,000 with no conditions and $10,000 with conditions.
Under the conditional release option, Bogza would be required to comply with several court-ordered restrictions, including:
Having no contact with the victims involved in the incident.
Refraining from using or possessing alcohol or controlled substances.
Submitting to random chemical testing.
Remaining law-abiding while the case is pending.
Attending all future scheduled court appearances.
Keeping the court and his attorney informed of his current address.
The documents do not establish whether Bogza has posted bail or remains in custody as of November 4th.
Investigation and Court Proceedings Continue
The Eagan Police Department investigated the November 2nd incident, which resulted in the Dakota County Attorney's Office filing two felony charges and one gross misdemeanor charge. The case involves allegations of dangerous driving, fleeing law enforcement, causing a multi-vehicle collision, operating a vehicle despite canceled driving privileges, and refusing court-authorized chemical testing. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incident resulted in multiple damaged vehicles and a police search that ultimately led to Bogza's arrest near a school athletic field.
Bogza is presumed innocent of the new charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pictured: Dragos Valentine Bogza. Provided by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
Written by: Will Wight
