Rochester Man Arrested After Squad Car Crash During Chase

Byron, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was arrested early today after he allegedly crashed a stolen pickup truck into an Olmsted County Sheriff’s squad car during a pursuit.

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Captain Tim Parkin says the pursuit began around 1:45 a.m. along the northeast frontage road in Byron after deputies spotted a red pickup truck they recognized as stolen. They also recognized the driver as 27-year-old James Kenyon, who was wanted on a felony-level warrant issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Fled Into Dodge County

According to Captain Parkin, deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Kenyon fled, leading them on a chase into Dodge County and Mantorville, where he drove into a cul-de-sac before attempting to flee again.

Collision With Squad Car

As deputies attempted to box him in, Parkin says Kenyon drove into the driver’s-side door of a squad car in a collision strong enough to deploy the vehicle’s airbag. The deputy driving the squad car suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Kenyon was then taken into custody. During a search of his person, an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine was found.

Felony Charges

Captain Parkin says Kenyon was transported by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held on suspicion of drug possession and fleeing police.

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Criminal Record

Court records show Kenyon was given a five-year prison sentence in 2024 on felony motor vehicle theft and illegal firearm possession charges. He was released last November after enrolling in the state’s Challenge Incarceration Program, described as an intensive “boot camp-style” program for qualified inmates.

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