by VIRGINIA, Minn. — A Minnesota woman’s night out turned into a horrifying ordeal when a man she met through Facebook allegedly tried to run her over with his car after their first date, authorities said.
According to a statement of probable cause obtained by The News & Observer, Alexander Dennis Jr., 33, from Chicago Heights, Illinois, has been charged with multiple felonies, including second-degree assault, fleeing a peace officer, and receiving stolen property.
Facebook Date Turns Dangerous
Investigators say Dennis drove all the way from Indiana to Virginia, Minnesota, on October 21 to meet the unidentified woman in person. The two had reportedly connected through Facebook and decided to meet at a local bar for their first date.
But as the night went on, things took a troubling turn. For reasons that remain unclear, Dennis allegedly became upset during their evening together.
According to police, the woman said Dennis had initially agreed to drive her home after their date. However, instead of heading toward her residence, he allegedly drove past her house and pulled into a store parking lot.
Woman Escapes as Driver Turns Violent
The woman told officers that when she attempted to exit the vehicle, Dennis grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her back inside, preventing her from leaving.
After a brief struggle, she managed to escape from the car and began walking toward the sidewalk near the store. That’s when, police say, Dennis accelerated his Audi, driving over the curb toward her in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to hit her.
She narrowly avoided being struck but said Dennis swerved at her a second time before speeding away.
In a state of panic, the woman called a friend, who immediately contacted 911, while she herself also reached out to local authorities.
Police Pursuit and Arrest
Responding officers soon located Dennis’s vehicle nearby, but when they attempted to stop him, he fled at speeds exceeding 80 mph, leading to a dangerous police pursuit through Virginia, Minnesota.
The chase ended when officers discovered the Audi abandoned a short time later. Upon checking the vehicle’s registration, police learned that it had been reported stolen in Indiana.
Dennis was eventually found walking through a Target parking lot, where he was arrested without further incident.
According to the criminal complaint, Dennis denied knowing why he was being detained, claiming ignorance about the situation despite the strong evidence connecting him to the assault and the stolen vehicle.
Serious Charges Filed
On October 23, prosecutors formally charged Dennis with:
- Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon
- Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle
- Receiving stolen property
Officials have not yet released details about his court appearance or whether he has legal representation.
Authorities say the woman was physically unharmed but traumatized by the incident. The case remains under investigation, with officials reviewing potential additional charges.
Read Also: Pregnant Woman Shot by Boyfriend After Refusing to End Pregnancy
A Reminder of Online Dating Dangers
Law enforcement officials are using the case as a reminder of the risks associated with meeting strangers online. They urge anyone arranging in-person meetups with people they’ve met on social media or dating platforms to take precautions — such as meeting in public places, sharing their location with friends, and not accepting rides from new acquaintances.
Incidents like this highlight the growing concerns around dating app and social media-related crimes, where offenders exploit online anonymity to lure potential victims.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you or someone you know experienced an unsafe encounter after meeting someone online? What steps do you take to stay safe while dating digitally? Join the discussion on race-day-live.com.
