Minnesota Capitol security officer on leave after allegedly posing as undercover cop while intoxicated at bar
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says Cristian Orea, 39, is also charged with third- and fourth-degree DWI — a gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor, respectively — as well as a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. The charge of impersonating an officer is also a misdemeanor.
Court documents state Minneapolis police were called to Puerto Veracruzano, a bar and restaurant off East Lake Street, just after midnight Monday after security staff reported a man who identified himself as an undercover officer, and who seemed intoxicated, was trying to get inside as part of a "narcotics investigation."
That suspect, Orea, had a "firearm on his belt" and showed security a cellphone picture of a badge that read "State Patrol," the complaint states. Security told the man he couldn't enter with a firearm while intoxicated, leading an "upset" Orea to allegedly accuse staff of interfering with his investigation.
The complaint says Orea then intervened when two men tried to leave the bar without paying, saying — "with his hand on his firearm" — that he was an officer and could arrest them. Staff said Orea went on to show off the picture of his badge to others inside the bar, identifying himself as an officer.
A security member called a Minneapolis officer they knew about the situation, who informed them Orea wasn't with his department and they should call 911, according to the complaint. Orea is then accused of fleeing the bar, with officers soon spotting him a block south in a parked vehicle. He then allegedly drove off and was eventually pulled over a few blocks away.
The complaint states Orea refused to take field sobriety tests, and later blood and urine samples after a search warrant was granted, and told officers "just arrest me." A search of his cellphone yielded a receipt to a tavern off Hiawatha Avenue, noting he paid his tab about 90 minutes before arriving at Puerto Veracruzano.
In a statement released to WCCO on Friday morning, Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic confirmed Orea is a Capitol security officer and is now on leave. Below is her full statement:
"The Minnesota State Patrol is committed to integrity, accountability and building and maintaining public trust. We hold all our employees to the highest ethical and professional standards, both on and off duty. Any allegation that those standards are not met is followed by appropriate action in accordance with agency policy.
"The allegations contained in the criminal complaint do not reflect our core values or those who wear the Capitol Security uniform with pride.
"Capitol Security Officer Cristian Orea has been placed on leave.
"We remain focused on serving the public with courage, honor, integrity, excellence and a deep respect for the responsibilities entrusted to us."
If convicted, Orea could face up to a year in prison.
This story will be updated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
2 Twin Cities teens in custody after state patrol chopper helps track stolen SUV, police say
Two 17-year-old boys suspected of stealing an SUV in the Twin Cities Friday are in custody due to a multi-agency effort, including the help of a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter. Police in West St. Paul, Minnesota, said its officers spotted a Dodge Durango, which had just been reported stolen, on Robert Street South near Butler Avenue at about 10:40 p.m. The driver fled police, who were able to call in the state patrol for help. Their aerial crew soon spotted the SUV, allowing for officers to end their ground pursuit. Police say the crew tracked the SUV to St. Paul's North End neighborhood, observing two people exit the vehicle and go into a home off Farrington Street and Stinson Street West. Law enforcement "were able to eventually enter the home and take the two suspects into custody," police said, with the help of St. Paul officers and Ramsey County Sheriff's deputies. "Thanks to the assisting agencies which allowed us to track and make an apprehension while minimizing risk to the community, officers, and the suspects," police said. The boys are being held in the Dakota County Juvenile Services Center.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
3 arrested in burglary at Edina's Southdale Library, police say
Police in Edina, Minnesota, say three people are in custody in connection to a burglary Friday night at the city's largest library. Two women, ages 41 and 38, and a 35-year-old man were arrested at about 11 p.m. following the burglary at 7001 York Avenue South, which is the address of Southdale Library. Police told the public in a social media post published less than 20 minutes before the arrests to avoid the area due to "a burglary in progress." It's unclear what, if anything, was stolen from the library. This story will be updated.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Motorcyclist seen speeding before deadly Princeton crash, sheriff says
A 27-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash late Thursday night north of the Twin Cities metro. The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. just west of Elk Lake in Princeton, Minnesota. The driver was seen "traveling at a high rate of speed just prior to the crash," the sheriff's office said, and a helmet was later found near the scene. The crash is still under investigation, and the sheriff's office says it's unclear at this point if alcohol played a factor. Princeton is about 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says as of Friday, there have been 205 traffic deaths in the state this year, with motorcyclists accounting for at least 20 of the victims. On July 1, a new state law took effect allowing motorcyclists to practice lane splitting and lane filtering in certain situations.
