Richard Thomas Willkom, 33, was charged in Dakota County District Court Feb. 8 with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, stemming from multiple incidents taking place on Sept. 15 and Nov. 4, 2022 On Sept. 15 near a gas station in South St. Paul, in response to a woman who said she was being chased by Willkom after he damaged her driver’s side window, an officer observed his vehicle traveling on 10th Street with no front license plate and an inoperable rear brake light. The officer attempted to perform a traffic stop, but Willkom failed to yield. He then stopped, rolled forward, stopped again, and then accelerated to flee the officers. He eventually stopped his vehicle in response to the emergency lights.

He was asked to exit the vehicle, which he refused. Other officers arrived on the scene and Willkom shifted his vehicle into drive and drove away toward an officer, who got out of the way. An officer followed Willkom as he fled from the police. His speeds ranged from 50-116mph while fleeing. The officer eventually ceased to follow the suspect's vehicle, and a warrant for Willkom’s arrest was issued.

On Nov. 4, 2022, Willkom was again pursued in Hastings after being spotted without a front license plate and a broken rear brake light. After stopping, Willkom told officers he did not have identification and he refused to provide his name and date of birth. He fled the scene and drove erratically on 18th Street, traveling into oncoming traffic and then correcting into the proper lane.

Willkom drove through the Veteran’s Park Athletic Complex at a high rate of speed, and then behind businesses near Millard Avenue, at which point the officer stopped the high-speed pursuit. The State requested another warrant for Willkom’s arrest, and he has now been charged in Dakota County with felony fleeing a peace officer.