Maple Grove Man Charged with Cocaine Possession, Resisting Arrest

A Maple Grove man has been charged with possession of cocaine and resisting arrest after police broke up an underage drinking party in St. Louis Park.

Fabian Michael Garcia, 26, is charged with fifth-degree drug possession, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is also charged with obstructing the legal process or arrest, a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by St. Louis Park Police Officer Kevin Frederick, St. Louis Park police were called to a report of a party involving underage drinking in the 4000 block of Meadowbrook Lane on April 29.

Officers spoke to a group of men outside the home, including Garcia. According to the complaint, the men were “pacing nervously” and putting their hands in their pockets, which caused officers to become concerned for their safety.

As an officer began to pat down one of the men, he saw Garcia back away from the group, then turn and run, the complaint says. The officer ordered Garcia to stop three times, but Garcia continued running, according to Frederick’s account.

Another officer stood in Garcia’s path, but Garcia lowered his shoulder and struck him. A group of officers caught Garcia and took him to the ground.

Police searched Garcia and found .18 grams of cocaine in his pocket, the complaint charges.

Garcia is free on a $3,000 bond. He is also facing unrelated Maple Grove charges of DWI, driving with a revoked license and careless driving. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled June 13 in Hennepin County District Court.