Eagan Police Use Grappler System to Stop Another High-Speed Pursuit; Brooklyn Park Man Charged with Felony Fleeing
Published: November 19, 2025.
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - A Brooklyn Park man is facing felony charges after a high-speed pursuit through Eagan during the early morning hours of Friday, November 7, 2025, that was ended when police deployed a Grappler Police Bumper System to stop the fleeing vehicle safely.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, 28-year-old Liban Mohamed Maalim, of Brooklyn Park, was charged with Felony Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle following the incident.
Incident Overview
Around 3:52 a.m., Eagan Police officers were conducting speed enforcement near Highways 35E and Highway 55 when they clocked a vehicle traveling 71 mph in a 55 mph zone. Officers initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Maalim. Officers noted that Maalim’s license carried an ignition interlock restriction, but there was allegedly no interlock device installed in the vehicle. When confronted, Maalim allegedly told officers he no longer believed he needed the device.
When asked to turn off the vehicle and exit, Maalim refused, then it is alleged he sped away, fleeing from officers taking the southbound I-35E exit for Yankee Doodle Road.
The Pursuit
The pursuit continued westbound on Yankee Doodle Road, with Maalim reportedly reaching speeds between 80 and 90 mph. After making a U-turn just after passing Coachman and going back eastbound on Yankee Doodle Road, officers say he crossed over the center line and drove eastbound in the westbound lanes. Thankfully, there was no traffic present heading westbound on Yankee Doodle at the time of this pursuit.
As Maalim eventually re-entered northbound I-35E from Yankee Doodle, an Eagan officer attempted to deploy the Grappler Police Bumper System, a device designed to entangle a vehicle’s rear axle and bring it to a controlled stop. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but on a second attempt near the bottom of the ramp, the Grappler successfully engaged, bringing the vehicle to rest against a guardrail in the median of I-35E, just south of the Yankee Doodle bridge.
Maalim then fled on foot, crossing the southbound lanes of I-35E before falling to the ground and being taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
Charges and Court Details
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office filed a felony count of Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle. If convicted, Maalim faces up to 3 years and 1 day in prison and/or a fine of $1,500 to $5,000. The prosecution requested that bail be set at $40,000, without conditions, and at $20,000 with conditions. The judge ultimately set the bail at $10,000 without conditions, $5,000 with conditions, or $500 cash with conditions.
According to court records, Maalim posted $500 in cash bail on November 11, 2025. His next court appearance is set for January 14, 2026, at 9 AM.
Use of the Grappler System
This marks the second successful use of the Eagan Police’s Grappler system since its introduction. The department has praised the tool as a safe and effective way to end dangerous pursuits, reducing risks to the public, suspects, and officers alike.
The entire incident, from the initial stop to Maalim’s arrest, lasted roughly four minutes.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
