Recently Released Inmate Steals Vehicle from Dakota County Jail, Leads Multi-City Pursuit Before Arrest in Burnsville
Published: April 29, 2026 | Last Updated: April 29, 2026 at 4:50 PM.
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - Hastings Police have confirmed to us that a 19-year-old suspect who was allegedly just released from the Dakota County Jail and allegedly stole a vehicle from the facility on Wednesday afternoon triggered a multi-agency pursuit across the Twin Cities south metro.
Authorities say the incident began in Hastings shortly after the individual’s release, before 1:40 PM, when the suspect allegedly stole a purse from the passenger seat of an occupied running vehicle with a lone occupant/driver, and ran. The driver of the vehicle confronted the suspect, the suspect ran past the driver, entered the vehicle, and fled the area. Hastings Police have confirmed they were not involved in the pursuit of the vehicle.
Pursuit Spans Multiple Cities
Following the theft, law enforcement initiated a pursuit that stretched across several Dakota County communities, including Rosemount, Eagan, and ultimately into Burnsville.
The pursuit ended in the 1600 block of Cliff Road in Burnsville around 2:30 PM, where authorities say the suspect stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers quickly apprehended the individual without further incident.
Large Law Enforcement Response
Multiple agencies were involved in the coordinated response. The ones we can confirm at this time include:
Hastings Police Department (involved in the investigation, but not the pursuit)
Rosemount Police Department
Eagan Police Department
Burnsville Police Department
Dakota County Sheriff's Office
Minnesota State Patrol, including air support
Officials confirmed that no injuries or crashes were reported during the pursuit, despite it spanning multiple jurisdictions.
According to the Hastings Police Department, they intend to book the 19-year-old suspect for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Driving After Revocation, and Disorderly Conduct. Any additional charges for Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle or otherwise will come from any of the other police agencies involved in the actual pursuit, according to the Hastings Police Department.
Investigation Ongoing
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Written by: Will Wight
