Crystal police officer injured in crash during call for backup

ROBBINSDALE, Minn. (KMSP) - A Crystal police officer rushing to help two officers involved in a scuffle with a shoplifting suspect was injured when his squad crashed with a box truck Thursday morning. The crash happened at about 5:40 a.m. on 36th Avenue N. at the top of the Highway 100 exit ramp.

Officer Gabe Storz was taken to North Memorial Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Thursday afternoon. The driver of the truck was not injured. The driver told police he did not hear the squad car’s siren or see its lights, which police said were activated.

According to Crystal police, officers were called to the Cub Foods at 5301 36th Avenue N. at 5:21 a.m. on a report of a theft in progress. Employees told officers the suspect was in the parking lot and attempting to leave. The suspect initially gave officers a false name, but they soon learned it was Edward Markeith Frazier, and that he had a felony burglary warrant for his arrest. Frazier resisted arrest and struggled with the officers, who called for backup.

“This incident should have been a simple arrest,” Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering said in a statement. “It would have been a simple arrest had Mr. Frazier complied with the officers. Instead, one of the officers is bleeding on the scene from minor injuries sustained in the scuffle and a second officer hospitalized with injuries.”

Last month, Officer Storz was honored at a Crystal City Council meeting for his actions that saved the life of two-week-old baby. On April 24, at approximately 10:20 p.m., a mother called 911 to report that her baby was choking on medication. Officer Storz successfully provided emergency care and had the baby conscious and breathing on her own by the time paramedics arrived.

Just last week, Officer Storz helped rescue an injured eagle near Twin Lake. The eagle was taken to the Raptor Center for treatment and recovery.