JUST THE FACTS

November 21, 2025 Volume 16 Issue 47

THIS WEEK'S IN CUSTODY ARRESTS

On November 15, 2025, Owatonna officers responded to a vehicle crash near Mosher Ave. and Barney St. One vehicle had severe damage with all airbags deployed. The driver reported a northbound vehicle swerved into her lane and struck her driver’s side. Officers located the suspect vehicle nearby with front-end damage and a disabled tire. The driver, identified as Guadalupe Rosa-Puga, appeared impaired with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and swaying. After being transported to the Steele County Detention Center, he performed SFSTs and later provided a breath sample of .18. Guadalupe Rosa-Puga has been charged with Gross Misdemeanor DWI.

On November 16, 2025, an Owatonna Officer pulled into the Circle K on North Street and ran a license plate query on a vehicle, identifying the registered owner as Luis Barajas Jr. The officer recognized Barajas when he exited the vehicle and entered the store. The officer also noticed a female in the driver’s seat who was the protected party in a no-contact order involving him. When Barajas returned and got into the passenger seat, the officer stopped the vehicle. Barajas locked the doors, said he was going to kill himself, and was seen holding a knife to his neck. Officers deployed PepperBall chemical rounds, and after repeated commands to drop the knife, Barajas was taken into custody. Officers were able to make the arrest without any harm to others or themselves. Barajas has been formally charged with Felony Violation of a No Contact Order.

On November 17, 2025, Owatonna Officers responded to a past-action burglary and located a suspect vehicle on the 200 block of Vine Street. The driver, identified as Castillo-Torrez, had reportedly pushed past a victim to enter a residence, physically assaulted her, and threatened two victims with a knife. A subsequent search of Castillo-Torrez’s vehicle recovered the knife. He was arrested and transported to the Steele County Detention Center and has been formally charged with two counts of Felony 2nd Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts of Felony Threats of Violence, and one count of Misdemeanor Domestic Assault.

School Bus Stop Arm Violations see Uptick

Since the start of the school year in September, the Owatonna Police Department has received 13 complaints involving motorists failing to stop for school bus stop arms. The first reported violation occurred on September 19th, just weeks after classes resumed.

In September, three violations were documented. That number increased to five in October, and five additional violations have been reported so far in November.

Of the 13 total cases, nine have been investigated, and charges have been requested against the involved drivers for failing to stop for school bus stop arms.

This past week alone, three incidents have been reported. We are asking the community to remain vigilant and to always stop for school buses when their flashing lights and stop arm are activated.

These violations are often the result of inexperienced or distracted driving, and they put our students at significant risk. Please help us keep our youth safe as they travel to and from school by sharing this message with family and friends. Your attention and cooperation make a meaningful difference in protecting our children.

OWATONNA POLICE SQUADS HAVE A NEW LOOK

You may have already noticed two of the Owatonna Police Departments squads have a new look around town. The police department changed the graphics to a more modern looking black and white squad. The last change in squad graphics was over a decade ago.