Golden Valley Police Arrest Man on Meth-Selling Warrant

A Brooklyn Park man being sought on a Washington County arrest warrant charging him with selling methamphetamine is facing more charges in Hennepin County after police say he drove under the influence of illegal drugs, then fought with an officer who tried to arrest him.

Christopher Wayne Haakenstad, 33, is charged with refusing to submit to a chemical test and obstructing a peace officer, both gross misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Haakenstad is also charged with four misdemeanors, each of which has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,0000 fine: fourth-degree DWI, fleeing a peace officer, driving with a suspended license and driving without insurance.

A Golden Valley police officer on routine patrol just after 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15 spotted a car driving in the rain without its lights on and with a broken brake light, according to the criminal complaint.

The officer stopped the car and identified the driver as Haakenstad, who gave the officer a clipped Wisconsin driver’s license and admitted that his license had been suspended, the complaint says.

Haakenstad suddenly got out of the car and began to run. The officer chased him and caught him after both he and Haakenstad slipped and fell on the ice.

Haakenstad fought as the officer tried to handcuff him, injuring the officer, according to the complaint. Haakenstad appeared to be under the influence because he was confused and lethargic and had urinated on himself.

Police checked Haakenstad’s record and found that there was an active arrest warrant from Washington County charging him with selling methamphetamine. Officers who searched his car found a bottle of Vicodin and two bottles of morphine in someone else’s name, the complaint charges.

Haakenstad submitted to a preliminary breath test, which showed that he had not been drinking. However, his appearance and his actions led police to determine that he was driving under the influence of narcotics.

Haakenstad remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $12,000 bond, and is also being held on an outstanding Washington County warrant. He is scheduled to make a first appearance on the latest charges Feb. 20 in Hennepin County District Court.