On January 16, 2025, at approximately 6:23 P.M., Metro Transit officers were on the eastbound Snelling Avenue Light Rail Train station platform in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, waiting for a male on board Light Rail Vehicle 233 who was known to have multiple felony warrants. Officers boarded the Light Rail Vehicle and located the male, JOSHUA RAFAEL HARRIS – [DOB REDACTED]. HARRIS was taken into custody on his outstanding warrants. As an officer patted HARRIS down for weapons, he felt what appeared to be a bag of narcotics in his jacket pocket.
As the officer attempted to retrieve the item from the jacket pocket, HARRIS became more resistant. Officers placed HARRIS on the ground. As the officer attempted to unzip his jacket, HARRIS tried to bite the officer’s hand. Officers held HARRIS down then attempted to roll him onto his other side. As HARRIS rolled, he was able to reach into his left jacket pocket and ripped apart a large bag of suspected methamphetamine. Another officer was able to secure a part of the bag that was still in HARRIS’s hand, and they were able to pry it from him.
Another part of the bag containing suspected methamphetamine was also recovered. However, a good portion of the suspected methamphetamine spilled on the platform. Presumptive testing yielded a positive result for methamphetamine with a net weight of 33.29 grams.
