Your complainant is employed by the Columbia Heights Police Department. In that capacity, complainant has reviewed official reports and has learned substantially the following: On November 8, 2025, at approximately 1:36 am, Officer Diederich responded to the report of a vehicle with smoke coming out of it in the area of [ADDRESS REDACTED], in the City of Hilltop, County of Anoka, State of Minnesota. Upon arrival, Officer Diederich observed a parked Pontiac Grand Prix with smoke coming from the hood and with the accelerator being pressed down, causing the engine to be constantly revving.
Officer Diederich approached the vehicle and located a male suspect slumped over in the driver’s seat. Officer Diederich observed that the suspect woke up and had abrasions marks all over the right side of his face. The suspect was later identified as Damien Lee Babcock, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant herein. Officer Diederich asked the defendant to step out of the vehicle as the actively smoking engine was a safety hazard. Officer Diederich observed that the defendant had difficulty standing and balancing.
Officer Diederich observed that the defendant was slurring his speech, seemed confused, and was unable to answer basic questions. While Officer Diederich was speaking with the defendant, the Grand Prix burst into flames and the defendant began stepping back towards the vehicle. Officers grabbed the defendant and the defendant physically resisted officers’ attempts to hold him back from the burning vehicle. Officer Basurto and Officer Diederich had to grab the defendant’s arms and escort him to the back of the squad car to gain control of the defendant.
Eventually, officers and Columbia Heights Fire Department personnel were able to put out the fire. While seated in the back of the squad car, the defendant continued to bang his head and officers had to put him in a restraint for his safety. Officer Diederich smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the defendant while he was seated inside the squad car. Officers obtained a search warrant for blood or urine test and advised the defendant that test refusal is a crime. The defendant refused to submit to either a urine test or a blood test.
