Repeat Offender Charged in Columbia Heights Chase
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A late-night traffic stop in Columbia Heights turned into a vehicle pursuit and foot chase after prosecutors say a repeat offender fled from officers.
The incident happened around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, when a Columbia Heights police officer on patrol saw Wallace A. C. Obey, 41, get into a vehicle and drive away despite knowing from past encounters that his driving privileges were cancelled as “inimical to public safety.”
According to the criminal complaint, the officer requested assistance initiating a traffic stop and another officer located the vehicle near the Columbia Heights Public Library along Central Avenue Northeast. When emergency lights and sirens were activated, prosecutors say Obey continued driving instead of stopping, eventually turning east onto 40th Avenue Northeast at a high rate of speed before entering an underground parking garage at an apartment complex.
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Authorities allege Obey pulled the vehicle into a parking stall, got out and began running toward officers while yelling for them to shoot him. He then turned and fled despite commands to stop. Officers caught up with him a short time later and took him into custody.
While arresting Obey, officers reported smelling alcohol, noting slurred speech and erratic behavior. Investigators obtained a search warrant authorizing a blood or urine test and transported Obey to a hospital. Court records say when presented with the signed warrant, Obey questioned why the sample was needed and ultimately refused. When asked again, he allegedly covered himself with a blanket and didn’t comply after officers warned refusal would constitute an additional crime.
Prosecutors have charged Obey with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and felony refusal to submit to a chemical test.
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Obey has multiple prior impaired-driving incidents. He was convicted of gross misdemeanor DWI stemming from a July 2023 traffic stop in Crystal where officers recorded an alcohol concentration of 0.11. He also has a gross misdemeanor DWI conviction from April 2018 in Anoka County and a prior conviction for refusing a chemical test in 2015. Obey has repeated license violations, including convictions for driving after cancellation and driving after revocation in recent years.
In the 2023 DWI case, officers stopped Obey after clocking a vehicle traveling 51 mph in a 30 mph zone and saw signs of impairment including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and poor performance on field sobriety tests. Other case records from 2018 describe officers responding to a driving complaint involving lane violations and curb strikes before arresting Obey for impaired driving.
Jail records show Obey was booked Feb. 5 and later released Feb. 10. Bail information was not listed in available custody records.
If convicted, the felony charges filed in Anoka County carry potential prison time along with significant fines. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 20.
