Roseville Police Arrest Man in Hit-and-Run Car Dragging Incident

The Roseville Police Department on Tuesday arrested a  52-year- old Minneapolis man for criminal operation of a vehicle stemming from a hit-and-run accident, allegedly dragging one man for nearly three-quarters of a mile 

Arrested was Enrico Taylor in connection with an accident that involved two uniformed U.S. Army recruiters who he allegedly struck with his 1994 Jeep Cherokee. 

In a news release, Roseville Police said that officers were dispatched at about  1:40 p.m. Tuesday to the Crossroads of Roseville Shopping Center on County Road B2 to check out report of two pedestrians struck by a Jeep Cherokee. 

Police said initial indications were that one of the pedestrians was trapped beneath the striking vehicle with witnesses reporting one victim had been dragged to the intersection of County Road B2 and Prior Avenue before he was able to free himself from the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Here is the rest of the story outlined by police:

"Officers responded to the intersection and located the victim who was identified as a 42-year old army recruiter from Circle Pines. The victim was conscious, suffering from severe, non-life threatening abrasion injuries to his body as well as a broken leg from being dragged by the suspect vehicle. The victim was transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

"The second victim when initially struck went over the top of the Cherokee’s hood. This victim was able to walk away with minor injuries that didn’t require immediate medical attention." The second victim was identified as a 29-year old Brooklyn Center man, police said.

"Both victims are U.S. Army Recruiters who work out of the Roseville recruitment office located at 1649 County Road B2.

Based on witness information, officers located the suspect vehicle abandoned in the Motel 6 parking lot, 2300 North Cleveland Ave. 

Officers interviewed motel guests and staff and learned the suspect had entered the motel lobby and requested staff to call him a taxi. Staff obliged but noted he was acting nervous and fled the lobby when a marked police squad drove through the parking lot near the lobby entrance.

Officers checked neighboring businesses and located the suspect in the Wally McCarthy Cadillac dealership, 2325 Prior Ave. North. The suspect – Enrico Taylor was taken into police custody without incident at approximately 2 p.m. (Tuesday).

Taylor later confessed to Roseville detectives acknowledging he knew he had struck two pedestrians and fled the scene. Taylor said after striking the pedestrians he panicked, heard screaming coming from his vehicle, stopped and attempted to pull the pedestrian from beneath his vehicle.

But the 42-year-old victim told police a different story. He claims the vehicle stopped at one point with the driver getting out to look beneath the vehicle but the driver never attempted to assist him out from beneath the undercarriage despite his requests for help, police said.

Roseville Police said this isn't Enrico's first brush with the law. 

"In the last three years, Taylor has had eight contacts/arrests with the department regarding fraud and theft cases'" police said. 

Meanwhile, Roseville Police are seeking information from the public who may have had contact with Taylor prior to his arrest. They believe Taylor may have been in the Best Buy and or Dick’s Sporting Goods parking lot asking shopping center guests for money alleging his car was in need of repair. 

If you had contact with Taylor at the Crossroads of Roseville Shopping Center, please contact Roseville Police at 651-792-7008.

Taylor was eventually booked at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center for felony criminal vehicular injury. 

If charged and found guilty, Taylor could face a maximum penalty of not more than five years imprisonment or to a payment of a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.

Meanwhile, the accident remains under investigation, police said, adding the  case is scheduled to go to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office for charging consideration today (Wednesday).

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