Minneapolis man gets probation for Albert Lea chase

Published 9:46 am Wednesday, June 15, 2016

A Minneapolis man was placed on unsupervised probation for one year Tuesday in Freeborn County District Court for fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle.

Matthew James Rowand, 32, was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Seventy-eight days were stayed, and he was given credit for 12 days served for the misdemeanor.

Rowand and Elana Lenze of Eagan were charged after they reportedly led officers on a chase that exceeded 60 mph in December in Albert Lea.

Matthew Rowand

Matthew Rowand

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After an officer learned that a license plate of the car the two were driving did not match the vehicle, their vehicle reportedly pulled out of a parking lot and on North Broadway.

Three officers reportedly attempted to stop the vehicle at the intersection of North Broadway and Fountain Street, but the vehicle reportedly accelerated through a stop sign and turned east on Fountain Street. The vehicle then reportedly ran another stop sign and turned north on Bridge Avenue when officers began chasing the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens on.

The vehicle reportedly continued north on Bridge Avenue, crossing the center line multiple times and traveling at a high speed, estimated at more than 60 mph, more than double the 30 mph speed limit on the south portion of Bridge Avenue.

The vehicle reportedly eventually came to a stop in front of a residence just north of the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Hawthorne Street.

Officers reportedly observed Rowand climb over Lenze and exit the vehicle through the passenger door. Lenze reportedly exited the vehicle after Rowand, and both reportedly began to flee the officers on foot. The officers reportedly chased them on foot and apprehended them in the driveway of an adjacent residence.

The vehicle had been reported stolen in Minneapolis Nov. 28.

Rowand was originally additionally charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property, but those charges were dismissed.

A settlement conference for Lenze is scheduled for Aug. 4, and a jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 15, if the case is not resolved by then.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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