Wal-Mart Shoplifting Suspect Charged With Illegal Firearm Possession
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Wisconsin man suspected of pointing his gun at an off-duty police officer while shoplifting from a St. Paul Wal-Mart has been charged with carrying an illegal firearm.
James Frei, 34, of Tomah, Wis., has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, around 2:50 p.m. Frei was attempting to steal a wireless speaker from a Wal-Mart along University Avenue.
Officer Michael Tschida, an off-duty police officer who worked at the Wal-Mart, approached Frei. Frei then pointed a weapon at the officer and fled on foot into the parking lot.
Frei got into a pickup truck, pointed the gun at Tschida again and drove off.
Officials said Frei led police on a high-speed chase along Snelling Avenue, during which he pointed his gun at a number of officers and ran red lights.
About six blocks northwest of the Wal-Mart, Frei crashed his car on the 1600 block of Edmund Avenue. He got out and attempted to flee on foot before police apprehended him.
According to court documents, Frei is ineligible to own a firearm due to felony convictions in Oklahoma and convictions in Wisconsin.
Frei is expected to appear before court on July 16.