WINONA, Minn. – The police operation that netted guns and drugs at a Sioux Street house on Friday required significant planning and coordination. The case was developed by a Winona County narcotics investigator, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jeff Mueller. The investigator drafted the search warrant, which cited information that Antoine David, a fugitive from Mower County, was likely at the house and that drugs and perhaps weapons might be there too. As required to invade private property, a judge found sufficient reason to sign the warrant that authorized the raid. For the raid itself, a 14-ton military armored vehicle was steered 15 blocks through city streets into a residential neighborhood and set up as surreptitious as possible. The raid itself was under the command of the county’s emergency response team. On scene were Mueller, chief deputy sheriff, and Jay Rasmussen, deputy city police chief. Twenty-five officers were at the site. This included, in case needed, fire department and medical services personnel.
