Mendota Heights Road Rage Incident Leads to Felony Threats of Violence Charge
Published: July 15th, 2026.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS: A 60-year-old man has been charged in Dakota County with a felony after allegedly displaying a handgun during a road rage incident in Mendota Heights earlier this year.
According to a Dakota County criminal complaint, Brentin Boyd Mindrup, born Dec. 2, 1965, is charged with one count of Threats of Violence (Intent to Terrorize), a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 28, 2026, when a Minnesota State Patrol trooper working in the East Metro District near Interstate 35E and Highway 62 in Dakota County was dispatched to a reported gun-pointing incident.
The complaint states that the victim told law enforcement he was driving in Mendota Heights when another vehicle approached from behind. The victim reportedly moved from the right lane to the left lane to allow the vehicle to pass. As the vehicle passed, the driver allegedly grabbed a black handgun from the center console and pointed it at the victim.
A passenger in the victim's vehicle told investigators they witnessed the same incident, according to the complaint.
Investigators traced the vehicle's license plate to Mindrup, the complaint states. The following day, law enforcement located and arrested him and recovered a black Smith & Wesson M&P Shield handgun from the vehicle.
According to the complaint, Mindrup initially acknowledged being involved in an altercation with another driver but denied pointing or accessing his firearm. However, after further questioning, he allegedly admitted that the other driver's actions had made him angry and said he "should have let the incident go." The complaint alleges Mindrup then admitted he accessed the handgun and "showed" it to the other driver.
The complaint further states that Mindrup acknowledged the recovered handgun was the firearm involved in the incident and apologized to the other party.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations. Mindrup is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.