Eden Prairie theft leads to police chase, two charged

Two Minneapolis residents are facing charges after a theft at a Target store in Eden Prairie led to a high-speed police chase, according to criminal complaints filed in Hennepin County District Court.

Zaire Christopher Jennings, 19, is charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, felony theft of movable property, and misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer on foot. Sharanda Lee Harris, 27, is charged with felony theft. A third person involved in the incident was not arrested or charged.

The incident began at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, when police were called to Target, 8225 Flying Cloud Drive, for a theft in progress. Store employees reported that three people loaded $1,123.95 worth of merchandise into a shopping cart and left without paying.

Officers arriving at the scene saw the suspects running into the parking lot. Jennings allegedly dropped a large box, got into a silver Jeep, and sped away. Police pursued the vehicle, which reached speeds of more than 100 mph before officers stopped it with a tactical vehicle intervention.

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Jennings reportedly fled on foot and was later found hiding in a residential shed. Harris, who allegedly dropped a pink duffle bag during the escape, was arrested at the scene where the vehicle was stopped.

A felony theft conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Felony fleeing a peace officer is punishable by up to three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine. The misdemeanor fleeing charge against Jennings carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Both defendants appeared in court on Jan. 14. Jennings is scheduled for an omnibus hearing on March 5, and Harris’s hearing is set for March 4. Both hearings will take place at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.