Shakopee man charged after alleged gate ramming, crash, and fleeing police
Published: April 3rd 2026
SHAKOPEE MN: A Shakopee man is facing multiple charges in Scott County District Court after he allegedly rammed a residential gate, crashed into another vehicle, and fled from police early Friday morning, according to a criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, officers with the Shakopee Police Department were dispatched at approximately 12:31 a.m. on April 3, 2026, to a residence on the 2400 block of Paha Circle on a report that a driver was ramming a gate with a vehicle.
The reporting party told dispatch a male driver repeatedly struck the front gate before leaving the area and believed the driver was intoxicated, according to the complaint.
An officer arriving at the scene observed a black Ford F-350 pickup truck near the residence and attempted to make contact. The complaint states the driver backed down the driveway and drove past the officer, accelerating away as the officer attempted to initiate a stop.
As the officer turned onto Redwing Drive, he observed a Ford Fiesta with heavy front-end damage that was smoking. According to the complaint, the officer determined the pickup had collided with the vehicle after briefly losing sight of it and continued fleeing the scene.
A short time later, the same pickup pulled into a nearby residence. The complaint states the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to run into a garage before complying with commands from law enforcement.
The driver was identified in the complaint as James Richard Kubes, 35, of Shakopee.
According to the complaint, while being taken into custody, Kubes made statements referencing the victim whose gate had been struck. While in a squad car, Kubes allegedly yelled, thrashed his body, and kicked the interior of the vehicle. The complaint also states he made statements officers interpreted as referencing the crash.
The officer observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol, according to the complaint.
Kubes was transported to a hospital, where a warrant had been obtained for a blood or urine sample. According to the complaint, he refused to submit to testing.
The charges are based on allegations outlined in a criminal complaint. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.