Minneapolis man charged for hitting police squad cars, fleeing scene

A Minneapolis man has been charged for hitting numerous police squad cars in a stolen vehicle in St. Louis Park, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Wednesday.

Andres Castillo, 26, was charged with second-degree assault, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, fleeing a peace officer, and receiving stolen property. These charges stem from Castillo striking numerous squad cars that attempted to block the stolen vehicle he was driving, and then fleeing the scene.

Castillo is scheduled for his first appearance on March 16 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, on March 13, St. Louis Park police went to a department store at 8440 Highway 7 in response to a shoplifting in progress. Prior to arriving on scene, police were informed that a vehicle associated with the shoplifters was on site. Police ran the license plate for that vehicle and learned that it was stolen, along with a firearm.

When police arrived, they found Castillo inside the stolen vehicle, along with another individual.

Officers attempted to barricade the vehicle by positioning their squad cars around it. When the first officer on scene situated his car behind the stolen vehicle, the officer got out with his gun drawn, the complaint states. That is when Castillo reversed the stolen car, accelerated, and slammed into the officer’s squad car.

The officer was able to avoid being hit.

Castillo continued maneuvering his vehicle, striking additional squad cars that surrounded him. Eventually, he was able to move the squad cars and flee the scene, the complaint says.

As Castillo was driving away, he ended up crashing the stolen vehicle on Highway 169 by Londonberry Road. He then ran from the crash site and was found some time later by police hiding in a dumpster, the complaint continues.

When officers searched the stolen vehicle, they found a firearm near the driver’s side floorboard with the serial numbers removed.

Castillo is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions.

View the criminal complaint against Castillo (PDF).