A July 1 vehicle pursuit through Crystal turned surreal when someone in the fleeing car allegedly hurled a flamethrower toward pursuing squad cars, police say. By the time officers shut the chase down, they had recovered suspected fentanyl, a handgun and multiple suspects, all without any reported injuries. The traffic stop was initiated after the vehicle was linked to a burglary and weapons investigation in another jurisdiction, according to authorities.
According to FOX 9, the Crystal Police Department later released photos of what officers pulled from the scene. The images show a handgun with a gold-colored slide and an extended magazine, along with a trench-style knife decorated with an American flag design. Police say the flamethrower was tossed from the car during the pursuit, and that the vehicle was ultimately disabled and stopped without anyone getting hurt.
What Officers Recovered
Bring Me The News reports that officers also discovered a quantity of suspected fentanyl and more than 100 grams of marijuana inside the vehicle. Several occupants were booked into the Hennepin County Jail on outstanding warrants and additional charges. In a social media post quoted by the outlet, the Crystal Police Department said, "Because of the great work of the officers, no officers or suspects were injured in this incident and several suspects were taken to jail." Officials have not yet released the full list of charges tied to the arrests.
Not an Isolated Oddity
Flamethrowers have popped up in other recent drug and weapons cases, including when a Detroit raid found a flamethrower alongside suspected fentanyl. That mix, combining incendiary devices with powerful synthetic opioids, can complicate evidence handling and scene safety. Agencies follow federal and public health guidance when suspected opioids are present, including precautions outlined by NIOSH for first responders.
Police Ask for Tips
Police have asked anyone with video or information about the stop to contact the Crystal Police Department, the reporting outlet says. For now, the department's social media post and the photos it released are the main public account of the incident, and investigators have not yet released the names of those arrested or the full list of charges.
