ST. CLOUD (AP) - A person authorities describe as a critical witness in the case against a man accused of killing a Mendota Heights police officer has been located after a two-week search.

The 28-year-old West St. Paul man is in the Dakota County Jail after a warrant was issued earlier this week. The warrant says authorities had contacted his past associates, former employers, his girlfriend and his emergency contacts but were unable to find him.

State law allows witnesses in such cases to be detained if a judge determines it's warranted.

Brian Fitch is on trial in the fatal shooting of Officer Scott Patrick last July. The trial has been moved to Stearns County where jury selection is underway.

More From AM 1240 WJON