Minneapolis Man Charged in Rosemount Carjacking After Alleged Knife Threats, Multi-Agency Pursuit, and Crash in West St. Paul
Published: May 8, 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - A Minneapolis man is facing a felony first-degree carjacking charge in Dakota County after authorities allege he threatened a man with a knife, assaulted him, stole his vehicle from a salvage yard in Rosemount, and later led officers on a multi-agency pursuit through several metro communities before crashing in West St. Paul.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, 41-year-old Alan Randolph Heywood has been charged with one count of First-Degree Carjacking (Bodily Harm or Dangerous Weapon), a felony offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fines ranging from $10,500 to $35,000.
Court records indicate prosecutors are also seeking enhanced penalties under Minnesota’s dangerous weapon statute, alleging Heywood used a knife during the incident.
Alleged Carjacking at Rosemount Salvage Yard
According to the statement of probable cause, officers from the Rosemount Police Department responded at approximately 6:29 p.m. on May 7, 2026, to a salvage yard in Rosemount on reports of a robbery in progress. The complaint states that initial dispatch information reportedly indicated that a mechanic had stolen a customer’s vehicle. Investigators say the victim, identified in court documents only as “Victim A,” had gone to the salvage yard with Heywood, whom he described as his mechanic, to look for vehicle parts.
The complaint states that Heywood became upset because he did not have his tools with him. After the victim unlocked the vehicle, prosecutors allege Heywood entered the driver’s seat and attempted to take control of the car. When the victim reportedly told Heywood he could not drive because he did not have a valid license, the encounter allegedly escalated.
According to prosecutors, Heywood threatened to kill the victim’s family before pulling out a pocketknife and stating, “I will fucking kill you.”
Authorities allege the victim grabbed Heywood’s hand and pushed it away to avoid being stabbed. During the struggle, Heywood allegedly punched the victim in the face before taking control of the vehicle and fleeing the salvage yard. The victim reportedly told officers he feared Heywood was going to kill him.
Investigators also state surveillance video obtained from the salvage yard corroborated the victim’s account of the incident.
Multi-Agency Pursuit Across Metro Communities
The complaint then states that the stolen vehicle was later spotted in Inver Grove Heights. Authorities say an officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
That pursuit reportedly traveled through Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul before ending in a crash involving law enforcement near the intersection of Robert Street and Butler Avenue in West St. Paul.
Authorities identified the driver as Heywood, who was taken into custody following the crash. Additional details regarding the exact circumstances of the crash, including whether any officers or civilians were injured, have not yet been publicly released.
Prosecutors Seek High Bail
During Heywood’s first appearance on May 8, prosecutors requested high bail, arguing he had repeatedly failed to comply with release conditions in multiple pending felony cases. They requested that the court set bail at:
$125,000 without conditions, or
$100,000 with conditions.
The judge has set the interim conditions at $75,000 with conditions and $175,000 without conditions. According to court filings, prosecutors stated that Heywood’s criminal history score is believed to be 5 and argued that the presumptive prison sentence, if convicted, would be approximately 146 months. Prosecutors further noted the alleged carjacking occurred just three days after Heywood had been conditionally released in another Washington County felony case involving allegations that he waved a knife at a gas station while possessing suspected methamphetamine.
Court documents state prosecutors argued Heywood has “demonstrated, on multiple occasions, that he is unable to comply with conditions of release and remain law-abiding.”
Pending Washington County Felony Cases
The Dakota County case is one of several pending felony matters involving Heywood in Washington County.
February Fleeing Case in Cottage Grove
In one pending case, prosecutors allege Heywood fled from officers during a traffic stop attempt in Cottage Grove on February 6, 2026. According to the complaint, officers with the Cottage Grove Police Department observed a speeding vehicle on Hastings Avenue around 4:05 a.m.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle using emergency lights and sirens, prosecutors allege the driver extended his arm out the window and “flipped off” the officer before accelerating away. Authorities say the vehicle fled for approximately six-tenths of a mile before turning into a driveway, where the driver was taken into custody and identified as Heywood.
He was charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
Court records show prosecutors requested bail of $25,000 without conditions or $10,000 with conditions. The court ultimately set bail at:
$25,000 without conditions, or
$1,000 with conditions.
Heywood later posted a $1,000 non-cash bond on February 19, 2026.
Garbage Truck Theft Allegations in St. Paul Park
Heywood also faces a separate Washington County felony case involving the alleged theft of a Tennis Sanitation garbage truck in St. Paul Park. According to prosecutors, officers with the St. Paul Park Police Department responded on February 23, 2026, to reports that a man had stolen a garbage truck and was attempting to flee the property. Employees reportedly told officers the suspect was trapped inside a garage bay when police arrived.
Investigators allege Heywood entered the building, started a garbage truck, reversed it into a concrete wall, causing significant damage, then drove out of the property before later returning. Employees reportedly blocked the vehicle from leaving after realizing Heywood did not work for the company. One witness told officers Heywood claimed he was “on the run from federal agents.”
Authorities also stated that Heywood became agitated during the arrest and referenced prior physical confrontations with law enforcement before eventually complying with commands.
He was charged with felony theft involving taking or driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
In that case, prosecutors requested:
$40,000 bail without conditions, or
$20,000 with conditions.
The court ultimately set bail at:
$40,000 without conditions, or
release with no monetary bail under conditions that included obtaining a mental health evaluation.
Methamphetamine and Knife Case
Heywood is additionally charged in another Washington County felony case stemming from a March 11, 2026, incident in St. Paul Park. According to prosecutors, officers responded to Corner Giant Wash after reports of a man waving a knife around inside the business. A witness reportedly told police Heywood entered the building carrying a knife, muttering obscenities, and appearing to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
Officers later located Heywood in a bathroom and detained him.
During a search, police allegedly found a folding knife and a folded piece of paper containing approximately 1.4 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged with fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
Court records state prosecutors argued Heywood had already accumulated multiple pending felony cases and “obviously can’t abide by conditions of release.”
The prosecution requested:
$10,000 bail without conditions, or
$5,000 with conditions.
The court ultimately set bail at $5,000 with no conditions. Court records show Heywood posted that bond on May 1, just a few days before the alleged Rosemount carjacking.
Case Status
Heywood remains charged in the Dakota County carjacking case as well as the pending Washington County felony matters. As of the writing of this article, Heywood has not posted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail. His next court appearance is set for May 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.
The allegations contained in criminal complaints are only accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Written By: Will Wight
