Published: October 23, 2026
APPLE VALLEY/ROSEMOUNT, MINNESOTA: A 25-year-old St. Paul man is facing two felony charges in Dakota County after allegedly fleeing from law enforcement officers in Apple Valley on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Authorities say the vehicle he was driving matched the description of one connected to an ongoing catalytic converter theft investigation.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Eh Hsu, 25, of St. Paul, is charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and fifth-degree felony controlled substance possession. The charges stem from an incident involving the Rosemount Police Department, during which prosecutors allege Hsu attempted to evade officers by driving at excessive speeds, entering an oncoming traffic lane, and driving through a field before police forcibly stopped the vehicle.
Court documents also indicate that Hsu was being sought in connection with a neighboring jurisdiction's investigation into catalytic converter thefts. Prosecutors reported that multiple saw blades were discovered inside the vehicle following the pursuit.
Officer Spots Vehicle Connected to Ongoing Theft Investigation
According to the criminal complaint, a Rosemount police officer observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Brass Parkway in Apple Valley on October 20, 2026. The officer noticed the vehicle lacked a front license plate and matched the description of a vehicle linked to an ongoing investigation into stolen catalytic converters.
The complaint does not identify which neighboring law enforcement agency was conducting the catalytic converter theft investigation or provide additional details about the alleged thefts.
After observing the vehicle, the officer turned around to investigate further. According to prosecutors, the vehicle then appeared to accelerate to get away from the officer, traveling at a speed exceeding the posted speed limit. The officer activated the squad car's emergency lights and siren and closed the distance between the patrol vehicle and Hsu's vehicle to approximately 100 feet.
Rather than stopping, Hsu allegedly continued driving away.
Pursuit Leads Into Oncoming Traffic and Through Field
The criminal complaint alleges that Hsu drove into an oncoming traffic lane while attempting to evade the pursuing officer. The vehicle subsequently turned onto a roadway that ended at a field. Instead of stopping at the end of the road, Hsu allegedly continued driving into the field. The Rosemount police officer pursued the vehicle as it traveled through the field.
According to the complaint, Hsu eventually exited the field and returned to the roadway, where the pursuing officer employed a pursuit immobilization technique to bring the vehicle to a stop. A pursuit immobilization technique, commonly referred to as a PIT maneuver, involves a law enforcement vehicle making controlled contact with a fleeing vehicle to disrupt its direction of travel and bring it to a stop. According to the complaint, the maneuver stopped Hsu's vehicle.
Additional law enforcement officers arrived and removed three occupants from the vehicle. Police subsequently identified Hsu as the driver.
The criminal complaint does not specify whether either of the two additional occupants was arrested or charged, nor does it report any injuries resulting from the pursuit or vehicle stop.
Police Reportedly Discover Suspected Methamphetamine
Following the vehicle stop, officers searched Hsu and allegedly discovered a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine. According to the criminal complaint, officers located a black wallet in Hsu's front left pants pocket. Inside the wallet, investigators reported finding a small, clear plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance.
Police conducted a field test using a narcotics identification kit, commonly referred to as a NIK test. The substance presumptively tested positive for methamphetamine and had a reported net weight of 0.38 grams. A presumptive field test provides an initial indication of a substance's identity but is not the same as confirmatory laboratory testing.
The criminal complaint does not indicate whether additional laboratory testing was completed when the charges were filed.
Prosecutors Cite Catalytic Converter Investigation, Saw Blades in Bail Request
A bail recommendation filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office on Thursday, October 22, 2026, included additional information about the circumstances surrounding Hsu's arrest. In the filing, prosecutors stated that Hsu had been sought in connection with a neighboring jurisdiction's catalytic converter theft investigation. The prosecution also reported that officers found multiple saw blades inside the vehicle after the pursuit.
Prosecutors cited the circumstances of the pursuit when requesting bail, specifically noting the excessive speeds, use of oncoming traffic lanes, and the need for officers to physically intervene to stop the vehicle. The prosecution wrote that the pursuit ended only after law enforcement "physically impacted the vehicle and forced it to stop."
Although the vehicle was reportedly associated with a catalytic converter theft investigation, Hsu has not been charged with catalytic converter theft in the Dakota County criminal case described in the documents reviewed. The available court records also do not establish whether the saw blades were connected to any specific theft.
Two Felony Charges Filed in Dakota County
Hsu faces two felony counts arising from the October 20th incident.
Count I: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Under Minnesota Statute 609.487.3, Hsu is accused of fleeing or attempting to flee a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle while knowing, or having reason to know, that the individual was a peace officer performing official duties.
The charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years and one day in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
Count II: Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime — Possession
Under Minnesota Statute 152.025.2(a)(1), Hsu is accused of unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, identified in the criminal complaint as suspected methamphetamine.
The felony charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
The potential penalties represent statutory maximums and do not necessarily reflect the sentence that would be imposed if Hsu were convicted.
Judge Sets Bail Lower Than Prosecutors Requested
In a bail recommendation filed October 22, 2026, the Dakota County Attorney's Office requested bail of $25,000 without conditions or $15,000 with conditions. However, a release order issued by Dakota County District Court on October 22 established lower bail amounts.
Under the court's order, Hsu may be released upon posting:
$20,000 bail or bond without conditions, or
$5,000 bail or bond with conditions.
The conditional release requirements include remaining in Minnesota unless the court grants written approval, participating in the Pretrial Release Program if eligible, and submitting to random chemical testing. Hsu is also prohibited from using or possessing firearms or dangerous weapons and from using or possessing alcohol or controlled substances, with exceptions for prescribed medications where applicable. Additional conditions require Hsu to remain law-abiding, attend all future court hearings, keep the court and his attorney informed of his current address, and refrain from driving without a valid driver's license and insurance. The court also prohibited the use of mood-altering chemicals.
The release order states that violations of the conditions could result in arrest, forfeiture of bail or bond, additional criminal charges, or contempt of court proceedings. The documents reviewed do not establish whether Hsu has posted bail or been released from custody, but Dakota County Jail records show that Hsu is no longer being held at the jail, likely meaning some form of bail was posted.
Next Court Appearance Scheduled for November
Hsu's next court appearance is scheduled for November 18, 2026, at 9 a.m., before Dakota County District Court Judge Kathryn Iverson. The hearing is listed as an omnibus hearing and will take place at the Dakota County Courthouse in Hastings. An omnibus hearing generally addresses legal and procedural matters before a criminal case proceeds toward trial, including issues involving evidence and pretrial motions.
The Rosemount Police Department is identified as the investigating agency for the charges, and the Dakota County Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. The available court filings do not further detail the investigation into the alleged catalytic converter thefts referenced in the criminal complaint and bail recommendation.
Hsu is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Dakota County District Court criminal complaint, prosecution's recommendation for bail filed October 22, 2026, and order for conditional release dated October 22, 2026, in State of Minnesota v. Eh Hsu.
Pictured: Eh Hsu. Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
