On Saturday July 9, 2022, around 3:30 am the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and the Starbuck Police Department responded to the Lakes Area Inn Hotel regarding an assault with a weapon. Once Officers arrived on scene the victim, an adult male, was transported by the Glacial Ridge Ambulance to the Glacial Ridge Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
The victim was later airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center and he remains hospitalized. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Agents, and Crime Lab were called to assist with the criminal investigation.
The suspect, identified as Justin Cardinal, age 41 of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, fled on foot prior to law enforcements arrival on scene in the City of Starbuck. Officers searched for hours in the City of Starbuck attempting to locate Cardinal.
During the investigation the Pope County Sheriff’s Office received a report of stolen motor vehicle just outside of the City of Starbuck on South Shore Drive. Cardinal stole a White Chevy truck with a boat trailer attached to it and then fled into Grant County, Minnesota. Cardinal then abandoned the vehicle in a cornfield in Grant County and stole another motor vehicle in the City of Elbow Lake. Cardinal was observed by a witness who notified law enforcement of the motor vehicle theft. The witness then followed the motor vehicle until law enforcement caught up to the stolen motor vehicle in Ottertail County. Cardinal fled and was pursued by law enforcement. Cardinal was later apprehended by the Ottertail County Sheriff’s
Office and transported to Ottertail County Sheriff’s Jail to be held for court.
Pending Charges: 1st Degree Assault, Fleeing a Peace Officer in a motor vehicle, two counts of
Motor Vehicle Theft
Department(s) that assisted with the call: Starbuck Police Department, Glenwood Police
Department, and the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Glacial Ridge Ambulance, Minnesota Bureau
of Criminal Apprehension Agents, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Lab,
Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Ottertail County Sheriff’s
Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol