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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 11/23/2018
SUBJECT: UPDATE: Unauthorized Vehicle on Duluth International Airport Runway
BY: Ingrid Hornibrook

NATURE OF INCIDENT: Unauthorized Vehicle
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 11/23/2018
INCIDENT TIME: 7:00 AM
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth International Airport

***Update: A commercial flight was boarding and a pursuit was initiated on airport property including an active runway.

Law enforcement could not get the driver to voluntarily pull over and Hermantown police was able to use their police vehicle to push the vehicle from the road, ending the potentially dangerous situation.

[DULUTH, MN] - On Friday, November 23rd, 2018 at 7:01 AM the Duluth Police Department was dispatched to the Duluth International Airport, 4701 Grinden Dr. on the report of an unauthorized vehicle on the runway. Hermantown PD and the St. Louis County Sheriff's department also responded. After a pursuit on airport grounds the adult male driver, Christopher Lee Dunker (36) was stopped and taken into custody. Dunker was lodged at the St. Louis County Jail and charged with:

  • 1st Degree Criminal Damage to Property
  • Fleeing Police in Motor Vehicle
  • 4th Degree Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substance

Dunker was interviewed by the FBI and federal charges are pending review by US Attorney. The FBI does not believe that the incident was “terrorism” related in any way. 

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