On November 6, 2025, at approximately 6:27 PM, Blue Earth County dispatch received a 911 call from Victim 1 regarding a domestic incident in a vehicle that was occurring in Blue Earth County. Victim 1 stated that he was yelling at her and she didn’t feel safe. Blue Earth County dispatch believed the phone was taken away from Victim 1 and hung up. Dispatch was able to track the phone from the 911 caller. Officer Strong observed a Subaru Crosstrek traveling on Victory Drive in Mankato. The vehicle was in the area the phone was tracking.
Officer Strong observed the vehicle going 65 mph in a 45 mph zone. The vehicle was registered to Victim 1. Officer Strong attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle slowed down to approximately 30 mph but did not stop. Officer Strong turned on his emergency sirens. The vehicle then quickly accelerated and fled Officer Strong. The vehicle fled on Hoffman Road and was traveling approximately 80 mph by a high school. The vehicle continued to flee in town reaching speeds of approximately 100 mph.
The vehicle was weaving in and out of its lane. The vehicle stopped on Highway 22 towards County Road 90. Officer Strong exited his vehicle and approached the driver side window. Officer Strong observed the driver who was later identified as Jayson Henri Dekker [DOB REDACTED]. Victim 1 the exited out the passenger side of the vehicle. Dekker then fled again. The vehicle continued to flee, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph. The vehicle got on highway 169 and proceeded to flee while going the wrong way of traffic.
Officers terminated the pursuit. A short while later, a 911 caller stated a suspicious vehicle was behind a business. Law enforcement went there and observed the vehicle that fled. Dekker was not in the vehicle. Law enforcement found Dekker walking into the northbound lane of traffic on highway 169. Dekker was arrested. Dekker showed signs he may be under the influence of a controlled substance. Dekker was also making erratic statements about being “Captain Gunderson.” Dekker was arrested. The total length of the pursuit was approximately 16 miles.
Deputy Arkell spoke with Victim 1. Victim 1 stated they are married. They were travelling back from South Dakota when Dekker observed a vehicle. Dekker said the license plate was a sign from Jesus and he started following the car into Mankato. When Dekker couldn’t find the car, he started speeding and running red lights. Victim 1 was scared for her safety and told Dekker she was calling 911. When she started to call, Dekker took the phone from her and put it between his seat and the center console.
Dekker continued to drive erratically around Mankato. Victim 1 said that once the pursuit started, she asked Dekker to let her out of the car. When Dekker stopped, she attempted to leave her seatbelt on hoping Dekker could be arrested. However, Dekker unbuckled her seatbelt and pushed her with two hands, causing her to fall out of the car. A search warrant was obtained for Dekker’s blood or urine. Dekker’s blood was taken and will be sent for testing.
