Patient who took off in van caught in Minn.

A rehab patient is in jail after authorities say he stole a minivan, then led police on a chase that ended in northern Minnesota.

State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske says the 37-year-old man was apprehended Wednesday afternoon.

Roeske tells the Star Tribune a deputy in Becker County spotted the van and was joined by other law agencies in chasing the man. The chase ended when the man tried to make a U-turn in front of the squad cars and was struck from behind.

The man was being transported from a mental health facility in Fergus Falls to a secure facility in Anoka when authorities say he hijacked the van Wednesday morning.

The man allegedly kicked the driver out of the van, then took off. The driver was not hurt.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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