Prior Lake man charged after allegedly starting grass fire, crashing bicycle into squad car while fleeing police
Published: May 11th 2026
PRIOR LAKE MN: A 36-year-old Prior Lake man is facing misdemeanor charges in Scott County after authorities say he intentionally started a grass fire near the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Public Works Building and later crashed his bicycle into a squad car while fleeing officers, according to a criminal complaint.
Aleksey Anatolyevich Pererva, of Prior Lake, has been charged in Scott County District Court with fifth-degree arson, fourth-degree property damage, and fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle.
According to the complaint, officers were dispatched at approximately 3:09 p.m. on May 10 to the SMSC Public Works Building in Prior Lake on a report of a person intentionally starting a grass fire. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a black jacket, black pants, and a gray hoodie, who was riding a light blue bicycle and reportedly had a knife.
The complaint states Officer Derek Carlsrud arrived to find multiple law enforcement agencies, including officers from Shakopee, Prior Lake, and the Mdewakanton Sioux Community, attempting to apprehend the suspect as he allegedly fled on a bicycle.
According to the complaint, the suspect — later identified as Pererva — repeatedly attempted to evade officers before crashing into a stopped squad vehicle while riding his bicycle.
Authorities took Pererva into custody without further incident, the complaint states. Officers reportedly located two BIC lighters and a silver pocketknife on him.
According to the complaint, Pererva acknowledged why officers were attempting to apprehend him, allegedly stating, “because I started a fire over there.” The complaint further states Pererva told officers he had also started a fire the previous day using leaves in a park.
The complaint notes Pererva made “numerous, nonsensical comments,” which raised concerns among law enforcement regarding his mental health and well-being.
Fire crews extinguished the grass fire, according to the complaint.
Court records show Pererva remained in custody at the Scott County Jail following the incident.
Pererva is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.