Charges: Rochester Man Fled Traffic Stop With Children in His Vehicle

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing multiple charges for an alleged fleeing incident while transporting children. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon. 

The complaint also says officers found drugs during the arrest. 

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Rochester Man Accused of Fleeing Traffic Stop With Children in His Vehicle

39-year-old Tita Costin is charged with felony fleeing, two felony DWI counts, felony fifth-degree drug possession, two gross misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and one gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety. 

The charges say Rochester police officers on patrol saw Costin at the Marathon Gas Station at the corner of 4th St. and 11th Ave. SE shortly before 5 p.m. on November 28. 

Costin, who one officer knew to have a canceled driver’s status, got into the vehicle and drove away from the store. 

Police attempted to pull Costin over but he accelerated away from the squad vehicle, which the complaint says had its lights and siren activated. 

At one point Costin ran the stop sign at 6th St. and 11th Ave. SE, the charges say. The officers last saw Costin in the area of 9th St. and 9th Ave. SE. 

Police then went to Costin’s home and saw a vehicle that matched the one Costin was seen driving. Costin was then seen exiting the residence with two boys, both under the age of 10, the complaint says. 

Police then arrested Costin and learned the boys were in the vehicle with him when Costin fled the attempted traffic stop, according to the complaint. 

During a search of Costin, officers found a THC vape pen and a small amount of cocaine, the complaint says. 

Officers then conducted sobriety tests on Costin at the Olmsted County Jail and obtained a warrant for a blood or urine draw after a preliminary breath test measured his blood-alcohol content at 0.0. 

The charges say Costin refused to provide a sample claiming he was never driving. Court records indicate Costin has four impaired driving offenses dating back to 2018. 

Costin made his first court appearance on Monday. He is being held on $100,000 bail and is due back in court later this month.