Man arrested after mask dispute, attacks on Hutchinson Menards employee and police officer

A 61-year-old Hutchinson, Minn., man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly assaulted an employee at a Menards in the McLeod County city during a dispute over wearing a mask, then attacked a police officer.

Hutchinson Police Chief Tom Gifferson said in a news release that police were called to the Menards at 1525 SE. Montreal St. on a report that the man had assaulted an employee with a piece of lumber after being asked to wear a mask to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, required in such settings.

The man left the store and was soon spotted by a police officer in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart. When the officer tried to stop his vehicle, the man led him in what Gifferson described as "a slow speed pursuit" in the area of the Hutchinson mall near Hwy. 15 and S. Grade Road.

https://www.startribune.com/man-arrested-after-mask-dispute-attacks-on-hutchinson-menards-employee-and-police-officer/600046010/