Man Steals Police Car; Hits another Vehicle Killing Driver

One person is dead after a bizarre incident in Polk County. A Crookston man fled officers in a stolen police car when he hit another vehicle, killing the driver.

Crookston police responded to a property damage call shortly after two this afternoon. Callers were outside the VFW, saying a man were pounding on their car, threatening them.

Chief Tim Motherway – Crookston Police Chief: "When officers attempted to speak with one of the suspects he ignored them and walked in Crooks Club."

The two officers followed him into the bar and inside Crooks Club where a fight then followed an officer and the suspect, 23 year old Ricardo Mello.

Chief Tim Motherway – Crookston Police Chief: "The officer tazed the suspect multiple times with little to no affect. The suspect was maced and had little to no affect on him. He was able to struggle and get away from the officers and exited the bar and jumped into a Crookston Police Car."

The suspect left Crooks Club in the stolen car traveling south on Main Street. Officers radioed the Mello had gotten away.

Chief Tim Motherway – Crookston Police Chief: "The suspect was traveling on south main street and turning on to old highway 75 south by the Crookston fire department and went over the center line and struck another vehicle that was traveling eastbound coming on old highway 75."

There was no pursuit at the time of the crash. The pickup driver was killed... a female passenger and suspect were both taken to Riverview Health, with unknown injuries.

Police also responded to an altercation with Mello at the Emergency Room. Another suspect is in custody with the original incident. Names haven't been released.

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