Police: Drunk Driver Arrested After Ramming Squad Car In St. Cloud
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 44-year-old man was arrested Monday night for driving drunk, threatening officers and backing into a squad car in St. Cloud, according to police.
St. Cloud police were called at about 6:20 p.m. to the 1300 block of 2nd Street Northeast after a report that a suspect had left the area intoxicated and driving erratically. Officers learned the suspect had nearly hit three pedestrians with his vehicle.
The suspect then drove into a parking lot, refused to stop for police and eventually parked in his garage stall. Officers blocked the vehicle in and started talking with the suspect, identified as Michael Andrew Hess, who refused to get out of the car despite multiple orders.
Police said Hess threatened officers and said he was suicidal. He then put his car in reverse and rammed a police car at least twice, causing damage to the squad car. Officers eventually used a Taser to subdue Hess, and he was taken into custody. No officers were injured in the incident, while Hess was treated for minor injuries.
After being treated at St. Cloud Hospital, Hess was booked into the Benton County Jail. He refused testing for DUI and is being held on suspicion of first-degree DWI (due to a past felony conviction), second-degree assault, terroristic threats and reckless driving.
The case remains under investigation.