Woman Charged with Fleeing Police in Mendota Heights

A Minneapolis woman has been charged with fleeing police in Mendota Heights when they tried to stop her for speeding.

Amanda Christine DeYoung, 25, is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, a felony with a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

DeYoung is also charged with driving with a revoked driver’s license, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, a Mendota Heights police officer was checking speed by radar just before 1:30 a.m. Oct. 21 near the intersection of Dodd Road and Delaware Avenue when he spotted a Chevrolet Tahoe driving 36 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The officer pulled behind the SUV and turned on his emergency lights to signal the driver to stop. The SUV continued down Dodd Road and turned onto Ivy Hill Drive, then continued for another half-block before pulling over.

The officer shone his spotlight at the SUV, at which point the driver – later identified as DeYoung – pulled back onto the road. DeYoung continued driving down the middle of the road near the posted speed limit, at which point the officer turned on his siren.

DeYoung turned right on Butler Avenue and began to accelerate, then turned onto Esther Lane, clipping the corner, fishtailing and causing the SUV’s wheels to squeal, according to the complaint. The SUV almost hit a parked car before turning onto John Street and then Chippewa Avenue and Ellen Street, the complaint charges.

At the intersection of Delaware Avenue, DeYoung signaled a right turn, then abruptly turned left instead and stopped. The officer ordered the occupants of the SUV – DeYoung and two men – out at gunpoint.

DeYoung’s two passengers, her brother and her boyfriend, told police that they repeatedly advised DeYoung to stop after the officer began pursuing her. DeYoung told the officer that she didn’t have a driver’s license because it had been revoked, according to the complaint.

DeYoung has been released from custody on a $10,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in her case is scheduled Nov. 20 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.