Mental health patient overpowers driver, hijacks van in central Minnesota
A patient being moved in a van from a state-run mental health facility in Fergus Falls, Minn., to the Twin Cities overpowered the driver Wednesday morning along the route in Todd County and fled alone in the vehicle, authorities said.
David Beutner, 37, who was being taken from Community Behavioral Health Hospital to "a locked facility in Anoka County," the Todd County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The driver was overpowered near West Union, east of Alexandria along Interstate 94.
Beutner is white, about 6 feet 1 inches tall and 170 pounds. The vehicle is a gold 2005 Dodge van, with Minnesota license plate EA 7893.
Anyone who has information about the van or Beutner's location is urged to immediately call law enforcement.
The Osakis (Minn.) Review is owned by Forum Communications Co.
