Minneapolis Man Arrested for Kicking Out Car Window in Eagan

A Twin Cities man stands accused of shattering a car window, sending shards of glass into the backseat where a one-year-old child was sitting.

Paul Alan Anderson,  31, faces two gross misdemeanor-level charges for domestic assault and obstruction of justice, as well as two lesser counts for property damage and disorderly conduct.

The incident in question occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Pilot Knob. Authorities were called to the scene by the victim. When police arrived, the woman was found crying and visibly shaken, clutching an infant. A 2009 Rav 4 was parked on right side of Pilot Knob, its front passenger side window smashed. Shards of glass littered the ground, and the front and back seats.

The woman told police that she was driving down Pilot Knob when the incident began. Anderson was in the passenger's side, while the child was strapped into a car seat in back. She said the two got into an argument about several different things: Where to get gas led to a discussion of finances, then Anderson's upcoming court cases.

The fight turned physical after Anderson allegedly tried to grabbed the keys out of the ignition while car was moving. The woman said she stopped the vehicle because she was "afraid of what would happen if she kept driving." Anderson got out, threw the keys in the direction of the civic arena then kicked out the passenger's side window, sending sprays of glass into the car. Anderson kicked her in the shins as she tried to flee the scene with the child. Officers noted a fresh injury on the woman's left shin, about 1 to 1.5 inches long.

A witness corroborated the woman's account.

Investigators added that once in custody, Anderson chewed and swallowed a plastic bag containing white residue, presumably to evade further charges for possession of drugs.

Anderson is the subject of two additional criminal cases. Earlier this week he was cited for another incident of domestic abuse and damage to property in Dakota County. He also faces second- and fifth-degree drug possession charges in Hennepin.

As of publication, he remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail, held on an $18,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 11.