St. Cloud Man Charged After Leading Authorities On High-Speed Chase

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud man has been charged after threatening a motorist with a gun and fleeing from police in Monticello.

Thirty-six-year-old Aaron Dionte Johnson has been charged with three separate felony counts, including second-degree drug possession of 25 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, Minnesota State Patrol troopers and Wright County deputies responded to reports of a motorist threatening another driver with a gun on Interstate 94 near County Road 18. Troopers located Johnson’s vehicle, a red Ford Edge, traveling westbound on I-94. When troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Johnson refused to slow down and fled at speeds exceeding 90 mph.

Both Wright and Stearns County deputies were able to slow down Johnson’s vehicle with spike strips. Upon Johnson exiting on County Road 75, authorities executed a successful PIT maneuver that stopped him. He was taken into custody and found to have a handgun with a magazine and a round in the chamber, as well as 35 grams of cocaine.

The victim of the incident said that Johnson had been tailgating him since the Rogers area. Johnson reportedly pulled up to the victim, pointed a handgun at him, and mouthed various profanities. The victim exited at Fenning and made a few turns. Johnson continued to follow him, which made the victim feel threatened.

Johnson is currently being held at Wright County Jail. He is scheduled for a Rule 8 and Bail hearing on Monday, June 22.

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