Timothy Bakdash: Police refuse to release mug shots

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Ben Van Handel was killed after being struck by a car in Dinkytown April 15.

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But in an unusual move, the police have so far refused to release arrest photos of the 29-year-old Roseville man, or of his mother, Diane, who was arrested for signing the title of the car her son was driving so he could sell it in hopes of eluding the authorities.

Ordinarily, police make booking photographs available to the media shortly after an arrest. Neither the Hennepin County Attorney's Office nor Timothy Bakdash's lawyer know why this situation is being treated differently.

"It's on an investigative hold," says Minneapolis Police spokesman Sgt. Stephen McCarty. "The photo's being held because an investigation is ongoing." McCarty declined to elaborate on the reason for the hold.

Staff at the Hennepin County public safety facility said the booking photo for Diane Bakdash may be released by May 1, but her son's mugshot is being withheld "indefinitely."

Timothy Bakdash made a brief appearance in a no-cameras-allowed courtroom today. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit, with short, dark hair and stubble, he fidgeted with his hands and spoke only enough to confirm his address to Judge Daniel Mabley.

The hearing was continued to Thursday afternoon to allow Bakdash to finalize his legal team.

Bakdash's lawyer, Joe Tamborino, told reporters after the hearing it was too early to say how his client will plead, but that Bakdash is holding up "as best as can be expected with these kinds of serious charges."

Previous coverage:

• Ben Van Handel dies after Dinkytown hit-and-run
• Timothy Ayman Bakdash arrested in hit-and-run that killed Ben Van Handel
• Timothy Bakdash says he ran over pedestrians on purpose
• Diane Bakdash arrested following son's Dinkytown hit-and-run murder charge