Albert Lea Police Department assists with second alert concerning a child

City News January 22, 2026

At approximately 3:25 p.m. today, Jan. 22, officers from the Albert Lea Police Department located a vehicle and individuals matching the description from a Keeping Our Police Safe (KOPS) alert issued by the Apple Valley Police Department.

A KOPS alert is a law enforcement broadcast used to notify agencies of officer safety concerns, unusual circumstances, or the need to locate specific individuals or vehicles that do not qualify for other alert types.

The subject vehicle—a Dodge Ram pickup—was reported as being occupied by a 24-year-old male and his 3-year-old son. The alert requested that responding agencies locate the vehicle and check the welfare of its occupants.

An Albert Lea police officer observed the vehicle parked at a gas station in Albert Lea. Both the adult and juvenile were contacted without incident and transported to Mayo Clinic Health Systems–Albert Lea for a medical evaluation. Police expect the child to be reunited with his mother this evening.

This was the second alert concerning a child that Albert Lea police assisted with today. In the previous case, an arrest was made and a missing 7-year-old girl was reunited with her family.

For immediate release
Jan. 22, 2026
Media Contact: Deputy Police Chief Darin Palmer at 507-377-5217 or DPalmer@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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The mission of the Albert Lea Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in Albert Lea by providing excellent public safety services through leadership, integrity, and collaborative partnerships with our community.