BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Bloomington police say a man is in custody after a 23-year-old woman's body was discovered in an apartment complex dumpster Monday.
The 23-year-old man was arrested Monday after leading police on a chase with a child in the car — a girl believed to be less than one year old.
Bloomington Interim Police Chief Mike Hartley gave new details in the case Monday afternoon. He said police believe the woman lived in the apartment complex, which is located on the 8900 block of Wentworth Avenue.
While details of how the two knew each other weren't public Monday, investigators think the two were in a domestic relationship.
Hartley said multiple 911 callers told police they saw a man dragging a woman's body, and putting her in the dumpster. An officer made contact with the man, who then allegedly fled in a vehicle.
Squads began pursuing the car and attempted to stop the driver on Nicollet Avenue, but he did not pull over. The chase finally ended with a "mild crash" at 46th Street and Nicollet in south Minneapolis, and officers found a the 1-year-old child inside the vehicle. The child was checked out by medical personnel and placed in the custody of Child Protection Services.
While her exact age is unknown, Hartley said he believes she is less than one year old. She was not hurt in the crash. Police have not revealed her relationship with the suspect and victim.
The man was taken to HCMC after the crash and is now in the Bloomington jail, Hartley said. He said he does not believe the Bloomington Police Department has had previous contact with the man.
More information, such as the woman's identity and her cause of death, will be released after an autopsy. Hartley said she had recently moved to Minnesota, and officials are working to contact her next of kin.
Hartley thanked the residents who called 911 immediately. He said without their help, police may not have anyone in custody right now.
According to 2019 data from the Minnesota Department of Health, about 21 Minnesotans are killed every year by an intimate partner. Some reports say domestic violence is up by nearly 10% nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
If you or anyone you know is in danger, here are some resources:
- In Minnesota, call Women's Advocates Crisis Line: 651-227-8284
- In Minnesota, call Cornerstone’s Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Always call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- The Domestic Abuse Project offers assistance
- The Domestic Abuse Service Center lists resources available through Hennepin County
Officers from the Bloomington, Edina, Minneapolis and Richfield police departments and the Minnesota State Patrol all took part in the pursuit.
This is a developing story. Stay with KARE 11 for more information.