Baaaaad boys: A “kid”-napping from a Minnesota park

Gordy the goat was one of 30 there to eat invasive weeds.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — It was a four-legged “kid”-napping under the cover of darkness at a Minnesota park.

Police say two St. Paul officers were patrolling Indian Mounds Park about 1 a.m. Friday when their squad car was nearly struck by a speeding SUV which had blown through a stop sign. The officers gave chase and when they stopped the vehicle after 2 miles they were surprised to find a frightened goat in the cargo area behind the backseat.

Police spokesman Steve Linders says the stolen goat, Gordy, was one of 30 that had been situated in the park earlier in the week to eat invasive weeds.

“One day your job is to reduce invasive weeds and get rid of unwanted vegetation and the next you’re on a high speed chase. Pretty frightening,” Linders said, adding that the goat did not appear to be harmed.

The driver and three passengers in the SUV jumped out and started running after the SUV stopped, Linders said. Officers caught two of the four people. Two 29-year-old men are being held on a possible charge of gross misdemeanor theft, according to police.

The police department wrote on its Facebook page: 

It happened in the early morning hours of Friday, May 5. 

Officers were on patrol in Indian Mounds Regional Park at about 1 a.m. when their squad was almost hit by a white GMC Yukon Denali. The Yukon was traveling at a high rate of speed and had just blown through a stop sign at the intersection of Earl Street and Mounds Boulevard. 

Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle fled while showing little regard for traffic laws or the safety of passengers—which included a goat. 

After a short pursuit, the driver of the Yukon lost control of the vehicle, which entered the driveway of a home and struck a parked vehicle. Before the Yukon came to a stop, its four occupants jumped out and attempted to flee on foot. 

Officers gave chase and were able to apprehend two 29-year-old males who would later be arrested for gross misdemeanor theft and booked into the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center. 

After taking the suspects into custody, officers discovered a goat lying in the cargo area of the Yukon. The goat, whose name is “Gordy,” appeared unharmed. 

Officers transported Gordy back to Mounds Park, where he was reunited with 29 other goats, which were recently placed in the area by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation with the goal of reducing invasive species and unwanted vegetation. 

The investigation into this “kid”napping case continues …

The goat thieves knocked down part of the enclosure that keeps the animals contained in the park, so after Gordy was taken, the others went for a stroll, according to Linders. They didn’t make it out of the park and were herded back to the enclosure.

As for Gordy? Linders said he’s back on the job eradicating weeds.