Ramsey County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 22nd 2026.
SAINT PAUL - A 25-year-old man is facing two felony charges after allegedly jumping on top of multiple vehicles and causing damage in a Saint Paul parking lot before attempting to grab a police officer’s firearm while in custody, according to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court.
Latavian Demarius Thomas has been charged with attempted disarming of a peace officer and first-degree criminal damage to property following an incident on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
According to the criminal complaint, Saint Paul police responded around 9:16 a.m. to Carpenters Union Local on Olive Street after receiving reports of a man damaging vehicles in the parking lot.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found Thomas yelling while standing on top of a white 2019 GMC Sierra. Officers also observed damage to other vehicles in the parking lot.
The complaint states that Thomas eventually laid down on the truck and repeatedly expressed fears that officers were going to kill him. Police placed Thomas in handcuffs and assisted him off the vehicle.
Officers requested medical personnel to evaluate Thomas before transporting him to the Law Enforcement Center.
According to prosecutors, Thomas became increasingly agitated while at the facility and made repeated statements about wanting to be killed.
During the encounter, an officer allegedly observed Thomas grab another officer’s handgun. The complaint states that Thomas wrapped three fingers around the pistol's grip and pulled on it.
The officer was able to push Thomas's hand away before the firearm could be removed from its holster. Prosecutors noted that Thomas did not defeat any of the holster's retention mechanisms.
Investigators also interviewed witnesses who described the earlier incident in the parking lot.
A receptionist told police that Thomas entered the building and asked for someone to call 911, claiming another man outside was going to kill him. Thomas allegedly began jumping and dancing inside the building before running into the parking lot.
According to the complaint, Thomas damaged a Hyundai Elantra, GMC Sierra and Jeep Wrangler during the incident.
A witness reportedly recorded Thomas jumping on the roof of the Jeep Wrangler, at one point falling off before climbing back onto the vehicle.
Investigators obtained a repair estimate of $1,713.13 for the Jeep Wrangler alone.
Thomas faces one felony count of attempted disarming of a peace officer under Minnesota Statute 609.504 and one felony count of first-degree criminal damage to property under Minnesota Statute 609.595.
The property damage charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The attempted disarming charge is subject to Minnesota's attempt sentencing provisions.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.