A woman who reportedly stole a vehicle from outside United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus on June 11 was arrested when the car crashed in Goodhue County after leading law enforcement on a chase.
Stacy Lynn Bruce, 44, was booked into the Dakota County Jail on charges of theft of a motor vehicle (use without consent) and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, both felonies.
The Hastings Police Department was alerted that a vehicle had been stolen from outside the hospital at 5:20 p.m. on June 11. Officer located the car at the intersection of Vermillion Street and Red Wing Boulevard and emergency lights and sirens were activated. Bruce reportedly looked back at officers before she accelerated southbound on Red Wing Boulevard.
Bruce allegedly drove over two roundabouts before going through barricades on the roadway indicating “No Thru Traffic” at two different locations. Pursuit reached more than 100 mph before entering a construction zone with one lane of traffic in each direction and construction workers present. Police called off the chase because of the risk to the public after 10.5 miles.
Dispatch contacted officers that the vehicle had crashed, and it was found unoccupied. Bruce was found at a nearby business and placed under arrest. She still had a hospital bracelet and EKG leads on her body upon arrest.
Bruce reportedly had been brought to the Dakota County Jail and was transported to the hospital after she said she swallowed a controlled substance. She had been released to the hospital for observation. A man told police he was outside of his vehicle at the hospital when Bruce reportedly approached and asked him if the door to the building was unlocked. Bruce then entered the vehicle and drove away.
Bail was set at $100,000 with no conditions or $20,000 with conditions. A first appearance is scheduled for June 24 at 9 a.m.