Owatonna Police Officers Injured in Scuffle with Suspect
Two Owatonna Police officers were injured last week in the process of taking a robbery suspect into custody. A man was arrested and faces multiple charges. Jamie Knutson "is well known from many contacts over the years with the Owatonna Police Department," according to the weekly department newsletter Just the Facts.
The incident began with a report to police of a home robbery and a victim being "threatened with a BB handgun and bat" on January 26, 2022. The next day police followed up with a "warrant for the suspect vehicle and residence."
Officers found the alleged robbery suspect at the Eastgate Apartments in Owatonna and attempted to apprehend him. Just the Facts reports, "The suspect fought back and resisted arrest for approximately five minutes with multiple officers, two of which were injured in the struggle."
The report does not indicate the nature of the injuries to the Owatonna Police officers.
Knutson has been "charged with 1st degree aggravated robbery, 2nd degree assault, 5th degree assault, obstructing legal process, and 5th degree controlled substance crimes."
PERSONNEL CHANGES AT OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Just the Facts welcomes new officers Hunter Jenzen and Michael Chervenak to the force, "They have started their initial 16-week field training program where they have on the job training with a Field Training Officer."
Meanwhile, officer John Van Alstine is officially beginning his new position at detective this week as a "general investigator with an emphasis on child protection investigations...This position carries a great deal of responsibility for the safety of youth in our community." Van Alstine will work closely with the Minnesota Prairie County Alliance.