(photo: Woodbury Police Department)
A Wright County man is facing multiple felony charges after a police standoff incident in Woodbury in late April.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office announced in recent days that charges have been brought against 61-year-old Donald Roche of Rockford in connection with events that led to an officer-involved shooting in the parking lot at a Target store in Woodbury on April 22nd.
The criminal complaint indicates that Roche allegedly stole a wallet from a construction site in Oakdale on the morning of April 22nd. He is accused of using credit cards from the wallet to make fraudulent purchases of more than three thousand dollars at two stores in Woodbury, as well as more than 7 thousand dollars in attempted transactions that were not authorized or were declined.
Officers with the Woodbury Public Safety Department located Roche after being alerted by automated license plate readers that the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen. Officers located the stolen vehicle unoccupied in the parking lot of the Target store just after 9:15 AM, and noted that the steering column appeared to be damaged. The complaint says that Roche returned to the vehicle after allegedly attempting fraudulent purchases in the Target store, and officers approached and attempted to take him into custody. A struggle between the officers and Roche ensued, with the officers disengaging when a possible handgun was observed. Roche then reportedly retreated to the vehicle, barricading himself inside, resulting in a standoff with law enforcement. Multiple agencies responded, including members of the Washington County SWAT Team.
The criminal complaint indicates that after more than an hour of attempted negotiations, Roche exited the vehicle with a black revolver in his hand, at which point law enforcement attempted to subdue him with less-than-lethal and non-lethal force. Roche reportedly continued to ignore repeated commands to drop his weapon, instead, reportedly pointing the gun directly at officers. Roche was shot by law enforcement, and after medical aid was administered, he was taken to Region’s Hospital where he continues to recover, and is in stable condition.
Investigation by the Minnesota BCA determined that the weapon used by Roche was a pistol-style BB gun.
Officials say Roche will be transferred into police custody upon his release from the hospital. His first appearance in court has yet to be scheduled.
The BCA’s investigation into use of force is continuing. The findings will be given to the Washington County Attorney’s Office to then determine whether the use of force was justified.
