John Thomas Kress

On April 1, 2026, Woodbury police Det. K. Richardson was conducting research for an unrelated case while sitting in her unmarked squad vehicle in parking lot of the Holiday gas station. [ADDRESS REDACTED], City of Woodbury, Washington County. While sitting in her squad vehicle, a male, later identified as JOHN THOMAS KRESS [DOB REDACTED], approached her vehicle and began yelling at Det. Richardson. Det. Richardson did not know KRESS by name, but she recognized him related to other disturbances he had caused in the area of this Holiday gas station.

KRESS used various profanities and racial slurs towards Det. Richardson. Det. Richardson exited her squad vehicle and identified herself as a police officer. Wanting to avoid further confrontation, Det. Richardson returned to her squad vehicle. A white sedan then entered the parking lot. KRESS stood in front of the vehicle's driving path. KRESS ultimately removed himself from the vehicle's path and jaywalked across Radio Drive towards Tamarack Rd. Det. Richardson observed KRESS cross Tamarack Rd with no apparent care of the traffic lanes, continuing to yell and point at cars that were driving southbound on Radio Dr. Det.

Richardson radioed dispatch to alert them of her interaction. Ofc. J. Bartelt learned of the above situation. Ofc. Bartelt had familiarity with KRESS and deduced that he was likely the person who interacted with Det. Richardson. Ofc. Bartelt reviewed recent reports involving KRESS and learned he had been trespassed from the [ADDRESS REDACTED] Holiday on March 8, 2026. Ofc. Bartelt and Ofc. Teschendorf located KRESS in a nearby business parking lot, nearby Holiday. KRESS was continuing to yell racial slurs.

Officers approached KRESS, and he denied being at the Holiday parking lot. Officers advised KRESS he would be placed under arrest. While being placed under arrest, KRESS resisted efforts and yelled in Ofc. Teschendorf's face, "get this n----- bitch off me, I'm gonna spit in your face n----- bitch". At one point, KRESS continued to physically struggle and spit towards Ofc. Bartelt. Ofc. Bartlelt felt droplets of spit land on her eyelid.