Rochester man pleads guilty to moped flight from police, drug charges

[anvplayer video=”5166337″ station=”998128″]

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Rochester man pleaded guilty to fleeing police on a moped in August of 2022, as well as 5th-degree drug possession from September and 3rd-degree drug possession from an arrest in January of 2023.

Brandon Wenthold, 40, was previously arrested for fleeing police on a moped along Rochester’s bike trails.

He appeared in Olmsted County Court for two additional cases Monday, March 6, and pleaded guilty to the above charges.

Additional traffic violations and one charge of 5th-degree drug possession were dismissed.

Two other cases involving drug possession and domestic violence dating back to 2020 are still pending in Olmsted County Court.

Wenthold’s sentencing is scheduled for April 27.

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man was arrested Sunday morning for fleeing Rochester police on a moped.

The chase led police from 6th Avenue SE to the bike trails leading from 7th Avenue SE, Rochester.

According to Rochester police, an officer noticed that 40-year-old Brandon Wenthold’s blue moped had an expired registration at about 12:27 a.m. Sunday, July 31.

RELATED: Man with extensive history of domestic violence arrested with help of K9 Wednesday | KAALTV.com

When the officer turned on his lights, according to the police report, Wenthold did not stop and instead drove into a dead end on 6th Avenue, hopped the railroad tracks, and fled down the bike path.

Rochester police set up a perimeter and stopped him shortly after on the bike path.

Wenthold, of Rochester, faces a felony charge of fleeing peace officers on a motor vehicle.