MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — An Iraq War veteran wants justice after someone threw a metal vise through his windshield, smashing his face.
Jon Stacke was driving with a friend around 8:30 p.m. Monday night when the incident happened. They were returning from Normandale Lake when they turned south on Normandale Boulevard in Bloomington.
“I just got done passing a car and then at that moment I heard an explosion,” Stacke said.
But it wasn’t an explosion, it was a metal vise coming through his windshield. Stacke’s foot hit the accelerator but his friend took the steering wheel, put the car in neutral and pulled the emergency break.
“It could’ve been a lot worse situation if he had not been there,” Stacke said. “I could feel blood. I could feel my teeth were gone and the glass in my face.”
NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Edgar Linares Reports
The vise broke his jaw and shattered six of his teeth. He also has cuts on his eyes and face from shattered glass. His wife Shannon Stacke says the steering wheel likely saved his life.
“If that had gone straight into his face instead of that, I don’t think this would be the same story,” Shannon said.
It’s the sixth reported incident around Normandale Boulevard since Jan. 18. Police believe someone is throwing metal objects from the side of the road, or from a passing vehicle.
Stacke is now at HCMC and will need several surgeries before he makes a full recovery.
“It’s indescribable for someone to do something so stupid to such a good person, a good citizen in this world. That’s not fair,” Shannon said.
A fund has been set up at TCF Bank for his recovery. He is in stable condition at HCMC.
Bloomington police are offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
“My whole career could’ve changed. I don’t have any teeth anymore. I’ve got to go through this. I’m putting my wife, my family and friends through this,” Stacke said. “I think they need to be caught and held for what they did.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Bloomington Police at 952-563-8628.
