Man Charged After Allegedly Driving Stolen Vehicle Into New Hope Police Squad Car
Hennepin County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 13th 2026.
NEW HOPE MN - A 33-year-old man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle into a police squad car while officers attempted to take him into custody in New Hope, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.
Jacob Nhial Elijah, born June 10, 1993, has been charged with felony motor vehicle theft and felony receiving stolen property in connection with the October 12, 2026, incident.
According to the criminal complaint, New Hope police received an alert regarding a stolen vehicle and subsequently located it traveling on Winnetka Avenue.
As additional officers arrived in the area, police positioned their squad cars to box in the vehicle and activated their emergency lights. The complaint alleges that the vehicle then accelerated into a police squad car before coming to a stop.
Officers arrested the driver, who was identified as Elijah.
Following his arrest, Elijah allegedly told investigators during a post-Miranda interview that he had simply borrowed the vehicle.
However, investigators confirmed with the vehicle's owner that Elijah had not been given permission to take or operate it, according to the complaint.
Authorities determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Elijah faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine on each felony charge if convicted.
The criminal complaint indicates that Elijah was in custody at the time of filing.
The charges are allegations, and Elijah is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.