Crime & Safety

Police: Drunk Driver Led Officer on Car Chase, Nearly Hit Pedestrians in Apple Valley

Vlade Norsean Jones, 21, was arrested and later registered a .18 blood-alcohol level, according to police.

A Bloomington man led police on a drunken car chase, nearly hitting a group of pedestrians before he stopped and was arrested, according to Apple Valley police.

Vlade Norsean Jones, 21, is charged with one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree DWI following the incident, which took place on May 4, according to police. The first charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

Police say the pursuit begain just after 2 a.m. on May 4, when an Apple Valley police officer witnessed a dark-colored SUV run a red light while speeding on County Road 42 in Apple Valley.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The officer activated his emergency lights to stop the SUV, which continued driving at high speeds on County Road 42, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

Moments later, police say the SUV moved into the right-hand lane, slowed down and appeared to be stopping on the shoulder of the road. Rather than coming to a stop, however, police say the SUV abruptly accelerated once more and swerved back into the left lane.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An officer pursued the vehicle as it turned left on Pennock Avenue, then right onto Whitney Drive. After failing to stop at a stop sign, police say the SUV sped into an apartment complex parking lot, forcing several pedestrians to scatter to avoid being hit.

At that point, police say the driver, later identified as Jones, parked the SUV and stepped out.

Police arrested Jones, but the irate man began yelling obscenities at the officers, according to the complaint. Because of Jones' alleged actions, police were unable to conduct field sobriety tests, but eventually administered a breathalyzer test. Jones registered a blood-alcohol concentration of .18, according to the complaint.

Jones was transported to the Apple Valley Police Department. While en route, police say he began to kick and bang his head against the squad car window and other objects in the car.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.