Psych Hospital Patient Escapes; Steals Anoka Police Squad Car

KEY POINTS

Chuol, 23, escaped Anoka psych hospital and stole squad car
He got inside the car when policewoman got out to chase him
He drove for 3 blocks before surrendering
He was charged with felony vehicle theft

A psychiatric hospital escapee from Anoka stole a police squad car while in pursuit but surrendered afterward.

The Anoka County District Court charged Mattu K. Chuol, 23, of Mankato with felony vehicle theft after he stole the police car of an officer pursuing him following his escape from the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center on Thursday.

An escapee from a state-operated psychiatric hospital stole the police squad car of the Anoka officer who was in pursuit before quickly surrendering, authorities said in a criminal complaint. https://t.co/XA3nyzkWYZ
— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) February 3, 2020

In a police complaint about the incident published in the Star Tribune, officers responded to a call at the state operated psychiatric hospital at 3300 7th Avenue around 4:20 P.M. to reports of a patient escaping the facility.

Officers spotted Chuol walking along the sidewalk.

The suspect saw the squad car and pursuing him and started running but when Officer Mary Wellman got out of her car to pursue Chuol on foot, Chuol got inside her vehicle and drove off.

After driving for a few blocks, Chuol stopped in the middle of the road and was apprehended by the police.

Chuol was supposed to make a court appearance in December for two cases in Blue Earth County, burglary and threatening and obstructing a police officer, respectively, but was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial so the appearance was rescheduled on Feb. 24.