UPDATED: Brooklyn Park Man Charged After High-Speed Pursuit and Major Drug, Gun Seizure in Apple Valley
Published: October 29, 2025 | Updated: October 31, 2025 at 11:45 AM.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA—A Brooklyn Park man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase in Apple Valley that ended in a multi-vehicle crash and the discovery of a large quantity of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Yeng Kong Cha, 42, of Brooklyn Park, has been charged with:
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Possession) — involving more than 100 grams of methamphetamine
Possession of a Firearm by an Ineligible Person (Prior Crime of Violence)
Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Criminal Vehicular Operation Resulting in Bodily Harm (Leaving the Scene)
Incident Details
Official court documents state that at approximately 1:33 p.m. on October 29, 2025, an Apple Valley police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for suspected illegal window tinting. Instead of pulling over, the driver, later identified as Cha, allegedly accelerated away, prompting the officer to briefly pursue before terminating the chase for safety reasons.
Despite the pursuit being called off, Cha reportedly continued driving erratically and crashed into multiple vehicles, injuring other motorists near Cedar Avenue and 147th Street. The driver then fled on foot, abandoning the crash scene without checking on the injured. The extent of the injuries to the driver in that vehicle aren’t known at this time.
A witness directed officers to a nearby bar, where they found and arrested Cha.
Suspect Admission and Search Findings
After being read his Miranda rights, Cha allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle, fleeing from law enforcement, and crashing. He told officers he ran because he had outstanding warrants and a revoked driver’s license.
Cha also admitted to having a 9mm handgun and methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Officers later executed a search warrant and located a backpack containing a loaded 9mm handgun and four bags of a white crystalline substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight was approximately 245 grams (over half a pound), well above the threshold for first-degree controlled substance charges according to court documents.
Court records show that Cha is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior convictions for violent crimes, including a 2014 felony conviction for threats of violence in Hennepin County.
Bail and Risk Assessment
Prosecutors have requested $150,000 bail without conditions or $100,000 with conditions, citing Cha’s extensive criminal history and recent supervision violations.
According to the bail request, Cha was on intensive supervised release (ISR) from a prior sentence and absconded from supervision just two days after his May 5, 2025, release. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office argued that he presents a significant risk to public safety, noting his possession of a large quantity of drugs, a loaded firearm, and his attempt to flee law enforcement, which resulted in a crash that injured others.
Cha’s first court appearance is today at noon in Hastings, Minnesota.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
This information comes from a probable cause statement and court documents filed in Dakota County District Court. These are merely allegations, not proof of guilt. Cha is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Written by: Will Wight
