Crime & Safety

Social Media Helps Police Track Down Suspect in Woodbury High-Speed Chase

Donja Cortez Warren, 19, of North St. Paul, faces a felony fleeing police charge.

At speeds of more than 100 mph, police decided not to continue a vehicle pursuit that began near the Woodbury Kohl’s in early March.

Instead, photos from Facebook and post from Donja Cortez Warren’s Twitter account have led to felony fleeing police charges for the 19-year-old from North St. Paul.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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According to the criminal complaint:

Police on March 3 were called about three men suspected of stealing items from Kohl’s; they had exited the store and fled in a vehicle, and authorities established a perimeter.

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Officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop the car using lights and sirens, but the driver continued to flee, at one point traveling 90 mph in a 60-mph zone. Speeds eventually increased to more than 100 mph, and police stopped the chase as a safety precaution.

However, police spoke with the mother of the owner of the vehicle. She told them the car is often loaned out to Warren, who was tagged in her child’s Facebook post.

Police used Facebook to get further photos of the suspects, and matched the group with motor vehicle photos and surveillance footage from Kohl’s.

Further investigation also revealed a tweet from Warren’s Twitter account that indicated that he was in Woodbury around the time of the offense.


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