Man Charged After Allegedly Driving Stolen Rental Vehicle 111 MPH Through Highway 36 Construction Zone
Published: October 6th 2026.
WASHINGTON COUNTY MN - A man is facing two felony charges after authorities allege he drove a stolen rental vehicle at 111 mph through a construction zone on Highway 36 in Lake Elmo before fleeing from a Washington County sheriff’s sergeant.
Bobby Earl Jefferson, 46, has been charged in Washington County District Court with felony receiving stolen property and felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint, a Washington County sheriff’s sergeant was on routine patrol on westbound Highway 36 in Lake Elmo on Oct. 4 when he noticed a vehicle ahead of him apparently traveling at a high rate of speed.
The sergeant followed the vehicle into a construction zone where the posted speed limit was 55 mph. The complaint alleges the vehicle was passing other motorists before the sergeant used radar to measure its speed at 111 mph.
The sergeant activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to catch up with the vehicle, but prosecutors allege the driver did not stop and instead appeared to accelerate.
The pursuit was terminated in accordance with department policy as the vehicle continued on Highway 36 past White Bear Avenue, according to the complaint.
A short time later, the Minnesota State Patrol located the vehicle in North St. Paul. The Washington County sergeant responded and identified it as the same vehicle that had allegedly fled from him earlier.
Investigators noticed an Enterprise Rent-A-Car sticker on the vehicle and determined it was registered to the rental company. According to the complaint, Enterprise told investigators the vehicle had been reported stolen as of Sept. 29.
Ramsey County sheriff’s deputies later located Jefferson approximately three blocks from the vehicle. Prosecutors identified Jefferson as the suspect in the earlier alleged flight.
Jefferson is charged with receiving stolen property, with prosecutors alleging he received, possessed, transferred, bought or concealed the stolen vehicle while knowing or having reason to know it was stolen. That charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
He is also charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, which carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
The charges are allegations. Jefferson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.