On January 31, 2026, at approximately 6:16 P.M., an Orono Police Officer was on routine patrol in a fully marked squad car in the city of Mound, Hennepin County. He was traveling eastbound on Bartlett Blvd when he observed a black Honda Accord, with Minnesota plate SSF-969, approaching the intersection of Commerce Blvd. He attempted to catch up to the vehicle as it reached the intersection of Bartlett Blvd and Commerce Blvd. There was a current KOPS Alert referencing this vehicle and the operator, MATTHEW JORDIN SCUDDER, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant, from an incident in Maple Plain the night before where officers were injured by Defendant and he fled in this vehicle.
Defendant also had an outstanding GM DWI warrant. At this time, the officer activated his emergency lights and began catching up to the vehicle. On average, the vehicle was approximately 100 yards ahead of the officer throughout this portion of the pursuit. He observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. At one point during the pursuit, there was a reading of 116mph with radar. The officer continued to pursue Defendant's vehicle until he lost sight of it as it rounded the corner near the intersection of Carver Co Rd. 10 and Swede Lake Rd. In all, the pursuit lasted roughly 10 minutes and covered approximately 12.31 miles.
Defendant was picked up by Eden Prairie police on February 2, 2026 and taken to the Hennepin County Jail, where he remains in custody. On February 3, 2026, investigators met with Defendant and read him his Miranda warning. He admitted to knowing it was a police squad car that turned around on the vehicle he was driving in Mound. He stated “I was going about 120” when further discussing the flee with Orono Police. He admitted he was the driver of the vehicle with MN plate SSF-969. The State is requesting a rush warrant as Defendant is already in custody on Court File No. 27-CR-26- 2802.
