Published: November 5, 2026
DAKOTA COUNTY, MN: A 45-year-old Faribault man with multiple pending theft cases and prior theft convictions faces felony charges in Dakota County after allegedly fleeing Inver Grove Heights police at high speed and in connection with a separate investigation into repeated retail thefts at an Apple Valley Target store.
Matthew Christopher Dail Kurtenbach has been charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle following an October 30, 2026, incident in which authorities allege he accelerated away from a marked police squad car, drove aggressively through traffic, and entered Highway 52 before officers discontinued their pursuit.
Kurtenbach also faces a separate felony theft charge stemming from an Apple Valley Police Department investigation involving multiple incidents in 2025. Prosecutors allege he stole approximately $1,174.97 worth of merchandise from a retail store over several months.
Court documents also indicate that Kurtenbach had seven other open and pending theft charges in other counties as of January 2026, along with several previous theft convictions.
Traffic Stop in Inver Grove Heights Leads to Alleged High-Speed Flight
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, an Inver Grove Heights police officer was operating a fully marked squad car on October 30, 2026, when the officer stopped behind a 2023 Hyundai Elantra at the intersection of Mendota Road and Robert Trail.
While positioned behind the vehicle, the officer reportedly observed the driver holding a cellphone and looking down. The driver, later identified as Kurtenbach, was wearing an orange stocking hat. The officer reported seeing Kurtenbach through the vehicle's rearview and side mirrors and determined he was the sole occupant.
After observing the suspected traffic violation, the officer activated the squad car's emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. However, prosecutors allege Kurtenbach refused to comply. Rather than slowing down or pulling to the side of the roadway, Kurtenbach allegedly accelerated away from the officer at high speed.
According to the complaint, Kurtenbach continued driving aggressively before taking an exit onto Highway 52. The officer reported observing the Hyundai pass multiple vehicles unsafely while traveling along the highway. Due to the circumstances, the officer terminated the pursuit.
The complaint does not specify the vehicle's exact speed, how long the pursuit lasted, or the distance traveled before officers stopped trying to stop the vehicle.
Suspect Arrested in Prior Lake Later That Day
Although Inver Grove Heights police discontinued the pursuit, authorities located Kurtenbach later that same day. According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Prior Lake Police Department located both Kurtenbach and the Hyundai Elantra on October 30, 2026. Officers subsequently took Kurtenbach into custody on outstanding warrants.
Prosecutors noted that Kurtenbach had active warrants originating from both Minnesota and South Dakota at the time of the incident. The complaint does not identify the specific offenses behind those warrants or provide additional details about his arrest in Prior Lake.
Following the incident, Kurtenbach was charged with one count of felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle under Minnesota Statute 609.487, subdivision 3. The offense carries a maximum potential sentence of three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to the charging document.
Separate Apple Valley Investigation Involves Multiple Retail Thefts
In addition to the fleeing charge, Kurtenbach faces a separate felony theft case investigated by the Apple Valley Police Department. According to that criminal complaint, Apple Valley police were contacted on October 28, 2025, by a retail store reporting previous theft incidents involving a suspect identified as Kurtenbach.
Investigators reportedly identified Kurtenbach through a previous arrest at the same retail establishment. Authorities connected him to nine separate theft incidents dating back to June 2025. The criminal complaint alleges that Kurtenbach stole approximately $1,174.97 in merchandise from the store during the investigation period.
Court records identify the Apple Valley Target as a location where Kurtenbach was later ordered to stay away.
Investigators Detail Several Alleged Theft Incidents
The complaint specifically describes several incidents involving household appliances and other merchandise.
June 24, 2025: Kurtenbach allegedly entered the store and stole an air conditioner valued at $219.99.
August 18, 2025: Kurtenbach allegedly returned and stole a vacuum cleaner valued at $299.99.
September 12, 2025: Kurtenbach allegedly stole an air purifier valued at $659.99.
October 5, 2025: Kurtenbach allegedly attempted to steal another vacuum cleaner valued at $779.99 but abandoned the merchandise after noticing store security near the entrance.
According to investigators, Kurtenbach followed a similar pattern during the incidents. Police allege he arrived at the retail property in a pickup truck without license plates, entered the store, selected merchandise, and left without paying. The complaint states that the alleged conduct occurred repeatedly over several months.
Although investigators identified nine theft incidents, the complaint describes only four. The October 5 incident was described as an attempted theft in which the merchandise was abandoned. The three specifically itemized completed thefts total $1,179.97, which differs slightly from the complaint's stated aggregate loss of $1,174.97. The charging documents provided do not explain the discrepancy.
Prosecutors Cite Additional Pending Theft Cases and Prior Convictions
A January 9, 2026, court document associated with the Apple Valley theft case provides additional information about Kurtenbach's criminal history and pending legal matters. According to the document, prosecutors reported that Kurtenbach had seven open and pending theft charges in other Minnesota counties at that time.
The document also referenced several previous theft convictions. However, the provided records do not identify the counties involved in those other cases, specify the dates of the prior convictions, or establish the current status of the seven pending charges.
The information indicates that the Apple Valley theft allegations were not Kurtenbach's only theft-related legal matters as of January 2026.
Two Separate Felony Cases in Dakota County
Kurtenbach faces felony allegations arising from two separate investigations conducted by different Dakota County law enforcement agencies.
The fleeing case stems from the October 30, 2026, traffic stop and subsequent alleged flight toward Highway 52.
The theft case involves incidents beginning in June 2025 and an investigation conducted by Apple Valley police later that year.
If convicted of both charges, Kurtenbach could face significant criminal penalties. However, any sentence would depend on Minnesota sentencing guidelines, his criminal history, and the court's decisions. The charging documents do not establish whether Kurtenbach remains in custody following his October 30th arrest, but court records show a court date set for November 9, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota, for both cases.
Both cases remain allegations unless and until proven in court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pictured: Matthew Christopher Dail Kurtenbach. Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Source: Dakota County criminal complaints, Inver Grove Heights Police Department incident, Apple Valley Police Department incident, and Dakota County Attorney file. This report is based on the charging documents and court information provided.
Written by: Will Wight
