On or about March 11, 2026, Maple Grove police were in the area of Nordstrom Rack in Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota, where they observed a vehicle parked illegally in the parking lot. Police observed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as DERRICK JAMES HOLMES [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, leaving Nordstrom at a rapid pace with a cart full of unbagged items. This appeared inconsistent with Nordstrom practices to bag items lawfully purchased. Police watched Defendant frantically throwing the large pile of merchandise he had in his cart into the rear driver side of the vehicle.
Police activated overhead emergency lights and drove a squad car towards Defendant's vehicle so that it was somewhat perpendicular with it. Defendant then reversed rapidly into a parking pole, damaging the vehicle before driving forward. Defendant was advised he was not free to leave but he was rapidly scanning the area as if he were looking for a way to flee, which is what happened. Defendant fled police at a high rate of speed and left a passenger behind in the vehicle. The passenger was identified as the owner of the vehicle.
The passenger confirmed Defendant did not have permission to take the vehicle at that time and flee police. The car owner indicated that Defendant is abusive and that he has used her car before without her consent. This vehicle was a red Lincoln with Minnesota license plates ZKL715. To flee police, Defendant drove around the parking lot, drove over a curb, and collided with a vehicle at an intersection before fleeing again. Officers did not pursue HOLMES due to his erratic driving. A State Patrol helicopter was overhead Defendant and Defendant continued to drive erratically, eventually crashing into another vehicle in Minneapolis before Hennepin County deputies located him with State Patrol helicopter assistance and arrested him.
Defendant, at that time did have a warrant for his arrest as well. The car Defendant crashed into was heavily damaged. The occupants described injuries received but declined medical attention from an ambulance. During a search incident to arrest, Defendant had approximately 0.68 gram of field-test positive methamphetamine and approximately 0.22 gram of field-test positive fentanyl on his person. Police were also able to confirm that Defendant took approximately $1098.04 of items from Nordstrom without paying for those items.
Defendant is not in custody for this offense and does have a prior Chapter 152 conviction in 27-CR-23- 11545.
