Man charged in assault, pursuit that left New Brighton officer injured

A 26-year-old Lino Lakes man has been charged in connection to a New Brighton assault and pursuit that left a police officer injured.

A criminal complaint states Jeffrey Alan Paulson has been charged with one count of first-degree damage to property, fleeing a police offer and third-degree assault.

According to the complaint, the officer stopped a motorcycle in a parking lot that did not have a license plate.

The driver, later identified as Paulson, told the officer he was test-driving the motorcycle. When the officer asked for his driver’s license, he went over to the driver’s seat of a nearby car.

New Brighton police officer suffers broken wrist in assault, pursuit

After Paulson refused to exit the car, the officer reached into the car to grab him. Paulson then accelerated the vehicle, striking a nearby business.

The officer continued to try to pull him from the vehicle, but eventually, let go. Paulson then fled the area.

Assisting police officers saw the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot and began to pursue it. Officers were able to successfully stop the suspect vehicle using a pursuit intervention tactic that disabled the car.

After being taken into custody, Paulson was transported to Regions Hospital for an evaluation.

Authorities say the officer that originally stopped Paulson suffered a broken wrist.

Paulson was set to make his first court appearance Wednesday.