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Man Threatens Officer With Raptor-Like Attack

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 27-year-old man was arrested after making threats to attack a police officer "like a raptor."

According to police, Luke Austin Wolfswinkel, of Prior Lake, was seen crossing an intersection against the "no walk" sign around 11:45 p.m. Dec. 27, near County Road 5 and 143rd St. in Burnsville, stumbling and having a hard time walking.

When police approached him to ask if he was OK, the man began slurring his words and smelled strongly of alcohol, yet denied drinking anything.

He told police he was walking home but then turned back because he left his cellphone at a friend's house. Wolfswinkel then apparently changed his story and said he was going back to a friend's house to get a pack of cigarettes.

Officers say Wolfswinkel became increasingly uncooperative and his behavior became more unpredictable.

Police stated in their report they believed Wolfswinkel was under the influence of a narcotic.

Officers attempted to give him a preliminary breath test but he refused and began swearing at police. Officials determined to take Wolfswinkel to detox.

Two officers attempted to take Wolfswinkel into custody but he immediately started to tense his muscles and resist arrest. A third officer responded to the scene to help put Wolfswinkel in the back of the squad car.

Police say Wolfswinkel began making threats to the officers and started to "speak in tongues" and make noises "like a monkey."

Wolfswinkel allegedly threatened to kill one of the officers and his family, upon being released. He also told them he was going to get his friends together and "get him," adding it would be like being attacked by a raptor, according to police.

When Wolfswinkel was placed in the back of the squad car, police say he began slamming his head on the Plexiglas cage of the squad car, growling, grunting and clenching his jaw.

Because of his erratic behavior, the officers decided to transport Wolfswinkel to the Dakota County Jail. They say upon arrival, Wolfswinkel began smashing his head against the concrete wall and started swearing at the jail staff.

Wolfswinkel was charged with one count of making terroristic threats.

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