Driver accused of fleeing police the wrong way on highway due in court next week

A man who allegedly drove the wrong way down a highway to elude police is due in court next week.

An omnibus hearing is set for John Robert Olson, the 37-year-old North Mankato man who allegedly fled police in a stolen vehicle last month.

Court documents say Olson refused to pull over when an officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, then led police on a pursuit through a North Mankato residential area that reached speeds up to 65 mph.  The officer terminated the pursuit for safety reasons after Olson allegedly intentionally drove onto the Highway 14 westbound lanes in the wrong direction.

A criminal complaint says police found the pickup Olson had abandoned near Riverfront Storage, still running with the door open.  Inside the vehicle, police say they found an envelope addressed to Olson, along with a prescription pill bottle labeled with Olson’s name, and a large bolt cutter.

Investigators also found two handwritten lists on the ground by the pickup door, which contained items such as “plates for car,” and “gloves, masks, wigs,” according to the complaint.  Police say they believe the lists were for future or past burglaries planned by Olson.

The complaint says Olson fled on foot, but was eventually taken into custody.

Olson told police he received the pickup from a friend three days prior but refused to identify the friend, according to the complaint.  He denied knowing the pickup was stolen.

Olson was charged in Nicollet County Court with felony counts of fleeing police and receiving stolen property.