Duluth man charged after cross-bridge stolen truck pursuit ends in crash – Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH — An alleged joyride throughout the Twin Ports in a stolen Minnesota Electric power function truck has landed a Duluth male in jail just after a large-velocity crash hurt yet another motorist.

Dustin Paul Eggert, 34, was charged Thursday in State District Court docket with four crimes stemming from the Tuesday vehicle theft and law enforcement pursuit that started out in downtown Duluth, continued via Outstanding and finished in the collision alongside Grand Avenue in West Duluth.

In accordance to a prison grievance:

The truck was noted stolen from Minnesota Energy headquarters, 30 W. Excellent St., at close to 10:30 a.m. Team and Duluth police officers were quickly capable to determine the suspect’s route based mostly on tire tracks in the clean snow, security digital camera footage and a built-in GPS monitoring technique in the car.

Observing that the driver fled south and exited onto the Bong Bridge, the Excellent Law enforcement Department was notified of the stolen truck. Officers there attempted to make a prevent but the driver continued on and later on crossed back over the Oliver Bridge, where by Duluth officers also unsuccessfully attempted a end.

“Specified the climate problems and for general public safety, soon after the defendant experienced disregarded the to start with officer’s crisis lights and fled, officers in Duluth discontinued an lively pursuit of the auto,” the grievance states. “(They) nonetheless ongoing to observe its locale and observe the car in a secretive method so as not to really encourage the driver to endeavor to flee at a speedier amount out of problem of creating an accident.”

The truck, however, did crash into yet another car and a hearth hydrant in close proximity to the Willard Munger Inn, 7408 Grand Ave., a shorter time afterwards. The GPS procedure indicated the truck was traveling at roughly 71 mph at the position of the collision.

When law enforcement arrived, witnesses discussed that the suspect got out of the truck and ran at the rear of the motel. Officers identified Eggert, who was “performing in an erratic style and appeared to be on the lookout all over.” They also tracked his footprints by means of the snow, discovering a discarded hat and sweatshirt that he had been found putting on throughout the theft and pursuit.

In a statement, Eggert reportedly acknowledged that he stolen the truck “because he was cold and required to go to Superior to get his cell phone.” He also admitted fleeing Superior officers “mainly because he was scared of the Remarkable police.”

Looking at the fellow hurt motorist standing outdoors her vehicle, Eggert allegedly stated: “Glance at that weak woman. I really feel horrible about that s***.”

The lady, who was not identified in the complaint, was taken to a medical center for treatment method. Authorities reported the extent of her injuries was not clear as of the filing of charges.

Eggert designed an preliminary court appearance Thursday on felony counts of theft of a motor car and fleeing a peace officer in a motor motor vehicle, along with two gross misdemeanor counts of legal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm.

Eggert was charged just very last week with another automobile theft, possessing allegedly stolen automobile keys and a wallet from the jacket of a volunteer at a Lincoln Park church in March. The car or truck was later recovered downtown, and surveillance video from a gas station allegedly served detect Eggert as the perpetrator.

Court docket records present that Eggert has felony convictions in at least 25 prior circumstances in Minnesota, although only a person felony. At least eight of the cases had been linked to theft.