On or about March 30, 2026, a Bloomington police officer was on patrol in the area of 98th Street West and Interstate 35W NB, in Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota. While on patrol, Dakota County aired on the radio that a vehicle fled from Scott County. The vehicle was a silver Rav 4 with Minnesota license plate JTS345. The patrol officer observed the vehicle, in the right lane of 35W North exit onto 94th Street West, Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The officer followed the vehicle and observed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as THAO PAO YANG [DOB REDACTED], “Defendant” herein, run a red light and travel back onto northbound on 35W. The officer activated his lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop.
The vehicle did not stop and sped up to 80 miles per hour. The officer attempted a pit maneuver on Defendant’s vehicle and Defendant continued to flee. Defendant then continued the wrong way southbound on Penn Avenue South. Police continued a pursuit and conducted a successful pit maneuver. However, Defendant continued to drive out of the pit maneuver. Another pit maneuver was conducted, and Defendant came to a stop. The driver, Defendant, was transported to the jail. A female, W. R. B. Was located in the backseat.
A warrant came back for W. R. B.’s arrest. Savage police advised that the vehicle and suspects were wanted for misdemeanor theft and for felony fleeing from Scott County. Defendant’s criminal history includes: - Threats of Violence (62-CR-20-4294), convicted 1/20/2021; and - Misdemeanor DWI (62-CR-21-4644), convicted 8/1/2022. Defendant is in custody.
