Desperate to Get Away, Fleeing Burglar Begs for Ride at Soccer Game

Article originally reported and written by David Henke.

After ditching his car during a police chase, a burglary suspect allegedly went from person to person at a nearby soccer game, begging for a ride so that he could elude officers.

The suspect, 24-year-old Kurtis Ray Cornelius, faces one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, one felony count of receiving stolen property, one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle and one felony count of possession of burglary tools, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

Cornelius' alleged partner in crime, Ronald Richard Gage, 54, also faces felony counts of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. If convicted of receiving stolen property, both men could face a maximum of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Police say the pursuit began just after 7 p.m. on Monday, May 13, when an officer witnessed a red Jeep leave the Cinnamon Ridge apartment complex in Eagan at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his lights and sirens after watching the vehicle roll through a red stoplight, at which point the driver allegedly accelerated away and led police on a chase that reached 50 mph in residential neighborhoods.

The car chase ended when the Jeep eluded police by traveling off-road and up a ravine, according to the complaint. Officers eventually located the vehicle, and found burglary tools, a Coach purse and credit cards listed to a victim "C.S." Officers also learned the vehicle itself was stolen, as were the license plates currently attached to the vehicle.

Police set up a perimeter in the area, and eventually located Gage, a Blaine resident, at a nearby intersection. Police say Gage was carrying a credit card listed to "C.S.," was winded and had a fresh injury to his forehead.

A short time later, Eagan police received a report that a man was allegedly asking strangers at a nearby soccer game if they could give him a ride. Officers found the man, identified as Cornelius, and saw him toss an item into a garbage can as they approached. They retrieved the item, a financial card belonging to "C.S."

An officer involved in the car chase also identified Cornelius, a St. Louis Park resident, as the driver of the Jeep, according to the complaint.

Both suspects are currently in custody at the Dakota County Jail.