On December 23, 2025 at approximately 3:59 am, an officer, while on routine patrol in the area of Mendota Road and Babcock Trail in Mendota Heights, Dakota County, conducted a random license check on a Kia Sedona and learned that it had been reported stolen out of Minneapolis. The officer activated his lights to stop the vehicle, which began to increase in speed. The driver increased speeds and entered onto west I 494. The vehicle continued at 90 MPH even after the officer also activated his sirens.
The driver increased speed to 100 MPH and eventually took west Highway 62 to north I 35E to west Highway 13 before exiting and crashing into a fire hydrant. The driver fled the scene on foot and there were no other occupants in the vehicle. Officers noted there were no keys in the ignition of the vehicle but it appeared to have been tampered with and there was a blue screwdriver sitting on the passenger seat. There was also a backpack that contained an OBD II, which is a tool typically used to bypass vehicle security systems, along with facemasks and multiple screwdrivers and pry bars.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as MATTHEW THOMAS KENNEDY [DOB REDACTED], was found hiding in a nearby storage shed and taken into custody. Defendant was in possession of a license belonging to another person.
