Man Charged With Felony Fleeing After Allegedly Driving Through South St. Paul Park
Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
SOUTH SAINT PAUL: — A man has been charged with felony fleeing a peace officer after authorities allege he drove through a South St. Paul park, accelerated away from police and later attempted to flee officers on foot.
Peter John Eberhardy, 42, is charged in Dakota County District Court with one count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, a felony. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
According to the criminal complaint, South St. Paul police responded Sept. 6 to a driving complaint involving a vehicle reportedly being driven on a baseball diamond.
An responding officer allegedly saw the vehicle traveling through the grass of a park before it crossed a sidewalk and curb to exit the area.
The complaint alleges the officer activated the squad's emergency lights, at which point the vehicle appeared to significantly increase its speed. Police then activated the siren, but the driver allegedly continued, failed to stop at a stop sign and traveled at a high rate of speed.
The officer estimated the vehicle reached approximately 55 mph in a 30-mph zone, according to the complaint.
Officers eventually stopped the vehicle. As they approached, police allegedly saw it briefly shift into reverse before being placed in park. The driver was identified as Eberhardy.
According to the complaint, Eberhardy exited the vehicle but repeatedly refused officers' commands and took several steps away. He then began complying before allegedly running from officers on foot.
Eberhardy stopped after another officer approached him with a Taser, the complaint states.
Authorities also determined Eberhardy had an active warrant for fleeing in a motor vehicle at the time of the alleged Sept. 6 incident, according to the complaint.
The charge against Eberhardy is an allegation. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.