Xang Vang

On 3/19/2026 at 02:07 hours, St. Paul Police saw an E-bicycle traveling north on Rice St south of Orange Ave in St. Paul, Ramsey County. The bike crossed Rice St diagonally from the northbound lane across the southbound lanes to the west sidewalk. The E-bike continued northbound on the sidewalk on Rice St across the bridge towards Cottage Ave. It was dark and the bike did not have a red light on the rear. As the officer followed, the rider, later identified as Xang VANG (DOB/1982-08-08) looked at the officer and then rapidly applied the brakes in an apparent effort to avoid contact.

The officer did a U-turn and exited the squad. VANG immediately started riding again, initially ignored the officer’s commands to stop, but eventually stopped. When VANG was informed of the reasons for the stop, he reached behind him and turned on a battery powered red light attached to the rear of his bicycle. VANG, who was nervous, did not have identification, but verbally identified himself. When a second squad car arrived, VANG became increasingly agitated and repeatedly said he would be leaving now.

At this point he was hyperventilating while looking around. The officer reiterated that he was detained. VANG refused to step off the bicycle and became increasingly agitated. Reluctantly, VANG stepped off the bike, took off his backpack, and threw his hands in the air. While attempting to place handcuffs on him, VANG began resisting. He was handcuffed and VANG then resisted officers’ attempts to pat him down by hopping around and jumping up and down. In VANG’s left pants pocket, an officer felt a small heavy metal object with a cylindrical barrel, which was believed to be a weapon.

The officer removed the object, which was a Colt single shot.22 cal firearm with a round in the chamber. VANG did not have a permit to carry. In a post-Miranda statement, VANG said he found the firearm by train tracks the day before. He said he knew he should not have it and that he previously tried to get a permit to carry but was denied due to mental illness. VANG said he previously had substance abuse issues. At the LEC, police found suspected fentanyl wrapped in tin foil in his inner right pants pocket.

The substance later field-tested positive for fentanyl with a net weight of.43 grams. For purposes of Rule 6.02, VANG has an open case for 5th Degree Drugs (70-CR-25-8392).