Police Impersonator Tries to Pull Over Cop in Edina

Sep 14

A man accused of impersonating a police officer in Edina is facing multiple charges after allegedly attempting to stop an off-duty Maple Grove officer and later fleeing the scene.

According to a criminal complaint, prosecutors charged 46-year-old Luke Aaron Reuter, of Inver Grove Heights, with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing police in a motor vehicle, and two counts of impersonating a peace officer.

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Investigators say on September 11, a Maple Grove officer in full uniform was driving an unmarked squad on southbound Highway 169 when Reuter began following closely before passing and cutting him off. The officer used his hidden squad lights and briefly activated a siren, telling Reuter to slow down. Court documents state Reuter then followed the officer onto Highway 62 and into Edina, where he displayed a small red light from his visor, exited his vehicle, and approached while pointing a phone as if conducting a traffic stop. Reuter allegedly told the officer he had a body camera.

The complaint says when the officer identified himself and attempted to arrest him, Reuter got back into his vehicle and refused to comply. He then tried to drive around the officer’s unmarked squad multiple times. Each time the officer attempted to block him, Reuter allegedly steered his vehicle directly toward the officer, driving up to his legs and forcing him to move out of the way to avoid being struck.

Reuter then sped away and was not located until later that day in Inver Grove Heights.

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Investigators later found dash camera footage, photos and social media posts in which Reuter allegedly attempted to identify the officer and his rank. They also recovered multiple police-style lights, a flashlight, and a dash camera with cords inside his vehicle, all in working condition.

In a recorded statement, Reuter admitted he heard the officer order him to stop and acknowledged circling around him. Prosecutors say Reuter also called 911 during the incident, telling dispatchers he was following someone he believed to be impersonating a police officer, later conceding, “He is clearly a police officer.”

A judge ordered Reuter held in custody on $50,000 bail with conditions including no weapons, no alcohol or drug use and no driving without a license.

If convicted, Reuter faces up to seven years in prison on the assault charge, three years and one day on the fleeing charge, nearly one year in jail for impersonating with prohibited lights and up to 90 days for impersonating with intent to mislead.

Reuter is expected to make an initial court appearance on Monday.

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