Lakeville Man Charged After Allegedly Fleeing Shakopee Police, Telling Officers 'That Might Have Been the Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done'
Published: June 22nd, 2026
SHAKOPEE MN: Scott County prosecutors have charged a 19-year-old Lakeville man after he allegedly fled from Shakopee police in a vehicle before running from officers on foot. According to the criminal complaint, after being taken into custody, Avery James Deyoung, allegedly told officers, "That might have been the dumbest thing I've ever done," and, "I literally ran for no reason, I have no reason."
Deyoung is charged with one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, one misdemeanor count of fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle, one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle without required lighting from sunset to sunrise, one misdemeanor count of failing to display license plates, and one petty misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle without a required taillight.
According to the complaint, at approximately 10:22 p.m. on June 19, 2026, Shakopee police officers were patrolling near Highway 101 and Shenandoah Drive when they observed two vehicles traveling without headlights or taillights illuminated while speeding. One of the vehicles, a Honda sedan, also allegedly did not display license plates.
The complaint states an officer activated emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but both vehicles accelerated away at a high rate of speed. Due to the increasing distance between the vehicles and the squad car, the pursuing officer deactivated the emergency lights and temporarily lost sight of them.
According to the complaint, another officer later located the Honda on Eagle Creek Boulevard. The vehicle allegedly continued fleeing before turning into the south entrance of the Triple Crown Apartments on Shenandoah Drive, where it drove into a ditch behind one of the apartment buildings.
Police allege the driver exited the vehicle and ran through nearby residential backyards before officers located and detained him.
According to the complaint, after being advised of his Miranda rights, Deyoung told officers he had met the driver of the other vehicle at a car meet at Buck Hill and had been following that vehicle toward Lakeville. He allegedly said he did not initially notice the squad car's emergency lights but later saw another officer with emergency lights activated. Deyoung allegedly admitted turning into a neighborhood at approximately 40 mph before braking hard and driving into a ditch behind townhomes. According to the complaint, he told investigators he did not know why he fled.
Deyoung was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail.
A criminal complaint contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.