Suspect in Minnesota police chase through restaurant gave false name

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. -- A suspect who was arrested Monday after police chased him through a restaurant now faces more legal trouble.

He allegedly gave the Alexandria police officers a false name, using the name of a former acquaintance rather than his own.

The new information surfaced after the Alexandria newspaper published an online story about the incident, which included video footage of the arrest shot by a bystander. The story and video were picked up by the newspaper’s parent company, Forum Communications, and residents in the Fargo-Moorhead area began contacting their newspaper, the Echo Press and the police department to report the suspect's real name.

After further police investigation, the suspect admitted his real name is Tyler Cote, 21, of Fargo.

Cote was found to have two outstanding arrest warrants, a misdemeanor out of Moorhead for fleeing police on foot and a felony parole violation through the North Dakota Department of Corrections.

Alexandria Police Chief Rick Wyffels said that Cote knew he was wanted, which was his reason for running from the police.

Gross misdemeanor charges for giving a false name to police will be added to the 12 previous charges Cotes received in Douglas County District Court on Wednesday.

Those charges include four felonies. Three were for fifth-degree possession of drugs, including heroin, and one was for credit card fraud.

He was also charged with eight misdemeanors, three involving possession of drugs, along with having hypodermic syringes, theft, fleeing a police officer on foot, tampering with a motor vehicle and obstructing the legal process.

The incident began at about 3:45 p.m. on May 2 when officers were called to Walmart for a theft and transaction card fraud.

The suspect, who turned out to be Cote, was reportedly stealing items and attempting to purchase expensive items with a transaction card that didn't belong to him, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

While en route, officers were told that the suspect was fleeing the store on foot. The suspect ran north and hid in various open vehicles and businesses while trying to elude officers.

Officers caught up to him in the front entryway of China Buffet and another foot pursuit began, with the suspect running through the business, through the kitchen and out the back.

The suspect ran to another vehicle and attempted to lock himself inside, but officers got into the vehicle and apprehended Cote without further incident.

Officers said they found narcotics in Cote's possession along with various items that he attempted to steal.

Cote remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail.