Latest news with #EaganPoliceDepartment
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Eagan police say new tool could cut down on pursuits
New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how Police in Eagan, Minnesota, say they have a new tool to help keep the community and officers safe when there's a need for a pursuit. Leaders hope what's called the Grappler will cut down on the need to chase in the first place. The Eagan Police Department has had nine pursuits so far in 2025. Last year, they had 23. Administrative Sgt. Rich Evans explains how the Grappler works. "It drops a net in front of the car and that wraps around the tire of the suspect vehicle, immobilizing that tire and bringing the car to a stop," Evans said. It's mounted on the front of a squad and is deployed from behind a vehicle. Officer Chris Roche is trained on using the tool. "It's a relatively simple system," Roche said. When ready, an officer activates the power, then deploys the device. Eagan police demonstrating the new Grappler tool. Eagan Police Department "Initially, you hear a lot of noise with the zip ties, like braking, and the tether stretching so the vehicle stops or begins to stop, and then you apply the brake pressure to create that distance. And then once the vehicle gets to that 30 feet distance, then you can feel sometimes like a jerking motion, or the vehicle like lurching forward from, you know, them not coming to a stop yet," Roche said. Evans worked on the funding to get the Grappler to Eagan. The install is $5,000. Each replacement net costs $400. He says it's a safer option than what the department has been using, a pit maneuver or stop sticks. "The stop stick theory is good because it can deflate tires in a controlled manner, but to do that, you have to put your officers in harm's way. Now we can preemptively work and plan. It's an effective tool to be able to get into position behind a vehicle and limit the risk of the officers and the public," Evans said. The Grappler may be used at low speeds before a chase starts, or to stop someone in a stolen car or trying to flee police. "It's been kind of a known fact for several years that people think it's a free for all, and we want to stop that. We want to actually put people behind bars, hold people accountable, catch violators and enhance public safety the same time," Evans said. Roche says during an already high-pressure situation, the Grappler can make a difference. "The advantage to this is, before we get into a lot of the unpredictability of a pursuit, or potentially before we get into that, we have the opportunity to use this tool to stop it very early on, or before it even starts," Roche said. The Grappler can also be used to stop a car during a medical emergency where there is an immediate risk. The Eagan Police Department is the first agency in Minnesota to use the Grappler. There are only a handful right now in the Midwest.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Twin Cities suburb weekend shootings leave at least 3 dead, teen injured
The Brief A shooting in Burnsville left one person dead, while another shooting in Apple Valley left a teenager with life-threatening injuries over the weekend. Meanwhile, Mounds View police said two people were found fatally shot inside a town home on Sunday night. A handgun was recovered from the scene, but further details were not available. BURNSVILLE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Shootings in the Twin Cities metro suburbs over the weekend left at least two people dead in Mounds View, one person dead in Burnsville, and a teenager with life-threatening injuries in Apple Valley. The backstory Burnsville police said the shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. at the Chancellor Manor apartment complex. A 22-year-old man was transported to the hospital with apparent gunshot wounds. The medical examiners' report released Sunday afternoon identified the victim as 22-year-old Abdinaasir Noor Ahmed. The report states Ahmed died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The medical examiner's report states the Eagan Police Department as the investigating agency. A Burnsville city official said many of the city's officers are at the National Police Memorial event in Washington, D.C., and that neighboring departments are assisting in the investigation. Dig deeper Police said a teenager was shot in the face during an altercation at an Apple Valley park early Saturday morning. The incident happened around 12:40 a.m. on the 6800 block of Fortino Street. Witnesses reported there was a fight between a group of people which escalated into a shooting. People then left the park in multiple vehicles before police arrived at the scene. When canvassing the area, police discovered shell casings in three distinct areas within the nearby park. An injured 18-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the face later arrived at the Apple Valley Police Department and was taken to a nearby hospital. The shooting remains under investigation by the Apple Valley Police Department, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Police said anyone with information on the identities of those involved is encouraged to call the department at 952-322-2323. What they're saying Minnesota Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) released the following statement on the shooting. "I am heartbroken by the shooting that happened just a few miles from my home. I pray for the recovery of the 18-year-old young man who faces life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and I am in touch with city leaders and will continue to provide support any way I can. "In the past two years, Minnesota acted decisively to curb gun violence by passing expanded background checks, extreme risk protection orders and banning straw purchases — yet gun violence remains the leading cause of death for children. I will continue advocating for stronger gun violence prevention measures that keep our communities safe until no parent has to fear sending their child to the park, school, or anywhere in our state." What else Mounds View police posted on social media early Monday morning that they are conducting a death investigation. Police said officers conducted a welfare check on the 5200 block of Greenwood Drive just before 8 p.m. on Sunday. At the scene, officers reported seeing someone on the floor with "signs of trauma." Police then forced their way into the town house and discovered two people with apparent gunshot wounds who were deceased. A handgun was recovered from the scene, and authorities believe there is no danger to the public. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the two victims and determine the cause and manner of death. Police did not share further details about the shootings. The Source This report uses information from previous FOX 9 reporting, and press releases from the Apple Valley, Burnsville and Mounds View police departments.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Eagan massage therapist charged in 4th sexual assault case
A former Eagan massage therapist is now charged in a fourth sexual assault case after the latest was filed this past. Johnny Le, 32, of Richfield, is now charged in Dakota County District Court with three counts of 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of 5th-degree criminal sexual conduct. The most recent charges were filed after a woman came forward after seeing the other three cases filed against Le, according to the complaint. The incidents allegedly occurred in November 2023, May 2024, December 2024 and February 2025. Le turned himself in after being charged a third time in early March, court records show. Here's a look at each complaint filed against Le as of Tuesday. On May 6, 2024, officers with the Eagan Police Department received a report from a woman claiming a massage therapist had touched her inappropriately during an appointment at JLe Massage Therapy at 4651 Nicols Road. The victim claimed the massage therapist, identified as Le, had touched her groin area inappropriately during a full body massage, and said at no point did she ask Le to massage anywhere on the front side of her body. After the incident, the victim texted Le and told him it was inappropriate. Le allegedly responded admitting "it was very unprofessional" and apologized. The victim said she was given a refund for the appointment. Le was officially charged on June 11, 2024 with 5th-degree criminal sexual conduct and 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to court records. According to the second complaint filed on Feb. 14, 2025, a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted on Feb. 11 at the same business. The woman told police she used a Groupon for a 90-minute massage and the masseur was identified as Le. The woman alleged she told Le she wanted work done on her pecs as she is a powerlifter. She claimed that while the appointment seemed to start out normal, Le spent a long time rubbing her breasts and "breathing really hard" while doing so, which made the victim "uncomfortable and scared." Le is also accused of placing his hand under the front of her underwear and also guided her hand to touch his groin area, the complaint states. The woman pulled her hand back and told him to stop and he did. He then told the woman he was sorry and explained how to request a refund through Groupon before she left. Le is charged with 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct in this case. Le was accused of another similar incident in a complaint filed on March 3, though the alleged incident happened on Dec. 20, 2024. Police spoke with a woman who said she was receiving a massage from Le while only in her underwear, but about 30 minutes into it, she turned over on her back and claims Le used his arms to push her legs up as if he was stretching her hamstrings. "He made a comment along the lines of 'damn' as if he was admiring her physical appearance," the complaint reads. Le is then accused of proceeding to sexually assault the victim with penetration, without any consent being granted. She said she left and immediately called her boyfriend, "crying and upset," and then 911, saying at the time of the incident she "froze" and that if felt like "an out of body experience." Le is charged with 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct in this case. The latest complaint, filed on March 28, accuses Le of sexual assault in an incident that allegedly happened on Nov. 29, 2023. A woman came forward after she learned of the other reports made against Le, with whom she booked a massage via Groupon. She claimed that Le was giving her a massage when he touched the inside of her bottom and the front left area of her vaginal area without consent. Le also allegedly offered at-home massages for $400 once the massage was over, with the victim saying she felt uncomfortable and left. She provided text message evidence she had sent to a friend to police, in which she said "he was massaging my groin area and started touching me." It was confirmed that she redeemed the Groupon on the November date, with her appointment found on a business calendar handled by Le's brother. Le is charged with one count of 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct. Bring Me The News reached out to the City of Eagan to inquire about Le's massage therapist license but has not received a response. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, the business — J. Le Massage Therapy LLC — was registered from Oct. 23, 2023 to Jan. 17, 2025. The business is still listed as open as of Tuesday. Bring Me The News reached out to Le's attorney for comment but hasn't received a response.
