BYRON, Minn. (KTTC) — A pursuit ended near Byron after a man allegedly attempted to steal a pickup truck.
According to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, the chase began about 3:15 p.m. Thursday after the Brett Kuehl, 25, of Rochester, fled from a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle.
Kuehl bailed from the truck and ran away. A K-9 unit searched for him in a reservoir near 60th Avenue Northwest. The Sheriff’s Office said the K-9 walked on Kuehl’s stomach in the pond, and Kuehl began punching the dog in the head.
Kuehl is being treated at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus after a K-9 officer bit him in the face.
He now faces felony charges of theft and fleeing from authorities in addition to multiple traffic violations.
The Sheriff’s Office said the man already had a felony warrant out for his arrest.
The K-9 officer “Chase” recently won first place in a search competition.
KTTC News, Rochester, MN