Search Continues for Rochester Man Who Hid in Woman’s Trunk
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A bizarre incident that began in Byron has turned into a manhunt for a Rochester man.
Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Scott Behrns says a Rochester woman was in Byron around 4:30 Friday afternoon when she heard a noise coming from the trunk of her car. When she opened the trunk to check, a man jumped out and began chasing her. Behrns says the two had a prior relationship.
A deputy sent to the scene saw the man still running after the woman. When he saw the officer, the man jumped into the woman’s car and drove off. Behrns says the man drove to Rochester on Highway 14 and exited at West Circle Drive. He drove north to 41st Street and turned east. Due to the high speed of the chase and heavy traffic, it was decided to end the pursuit. Behrns says the man was clocked at 85 mph during the chase.
Behrns says officers spent the weekend looking for 32-year-old Jonathan Payton with no luck.
Court records show Payton was sentenced to five years in prison in 2015 for a gun-related conviction.